HISrORY 



Tit1|Rp,^,REQjn 




OKFIOI A L IX >>f AXION. 



6 C' 




TheComiliek, Rev. JOHN G. GAMMONS. Ph. D. 



THE 



THIRD MJlSSjlCHUSETTS REGIMENT 

VOLUNTEER MILITIA 

In the War of the Rebellion, 
1861-1863. 



BY 

Rev. JOHN G: GAMMONS, Ph. D. 



providence: 

Snow & Fabnham Co., Pbinters. 

1906. 



.5 



NOV 7 1906 
0. Uf D. 



DEDICATED 

TO 

COLONEL SILAS P. RICHMOND 

WHOSE PBUDENCE, 

DISCIPLINE, AND DEVOTION 

TO THE 

WELFARE ©F THE MEN UNDEB HIS COMMAND, 

WON THEIR LASTING ESTEEM 

AND AFFECTION. 

By the Committee. 



PREFACi 



To pick up the thread after it has been dropped; 
to supply the missing link after forty years ; to step 
into the shoes of a dead comrade are things to be 
desired only by a conceited egotist, yet all these 
things were forced upon me by a unanimous vote of 
the Third Regimental Association at their annual 
meeting at Dighton Rock, in August, 1904. 

The Rev. Charles Snow, the Association's first 
choice (and no one was better fitted than he to 
write the history of the Third Rgiment), having 
been its chaplain and therefore acquainted with all 
the facts in the history of the field and staff officers, 
as also with that of nearly all of the line officers, 
both before and after the war, was the man of all 
the officers in the regiment to compile the Regimen- 
tal History and publish the same. Moreover, he 
was retired from active service and considered it a 
privilege rather than a duty to recall the past and 
again live over the days with the '^boys in blue" with 
whom he had marched and suffered; but God had 
decreed otherwise, and so Chaplain Snow was called 



VI PREFACE. 

to the great camping ground above. He died at 
Taunton, Mass., Nov. 28, 1903, at the ripe age of 
seventy-four years. 

Chaplain Snow had gathered much material and 
many facts relating to the outlines of the history 
of the regiment; he had written many letters and 
had chronicled their answers ; yet at the time of his 
death only the history of Company A had been writ- 
ten. Several of the comrades appointed to write 
the history of their companies considered them- 
selves incompetent for the task, and those who have 
written their company history had to be encouraged 
to finish their ''course with joy." Hundreds, if not 
thousands, of letters had to be written by the com- 
piler and the writers of company histories, and in 
some instances it required all the elasticity of pa- 
tience in waiting for an answer. But why wonder 
when we call to mind the many years since the close 
of the war, and the scattered condition of the young 
men who composed the rank and file of the Third 
Regiment. Some of them are treading the snows 
of Alaska and the ice flows of Point Barrows ; some 
are bringing gold and silver from the mountains of 
Idaho, and oil from the valleys of Montana; some 
are in France, England, China, and many have an- 



PREFACE. VU 

swered the last roll call. Long, patient, and per- 
sistent has been the efforts of the writers of this 
history, to give to the comrades a book worthy to 
be placed in the libraries of every city and town in 
Massachusetts, and to be read by every surviving 
comrade and his descendants to the end of time. 

No one claims that the history is complete; no 
doubt there are many interesting facts written in 
diaries lying dust-covered, which would add great 
interest could they be found ; much valuable history 
was long ago committed to the fire in house-clean- 
ing time as worthless. Yet notwithstanding all 
these things your Committee believe that they have 
given as full and complete a history as could be 
written at this late date, and with the conscious be- 
lief that they have done their duty to the best of 
their ability, they submit this volume to the com- 
rades of the Third Regiment, their friends, and pos- 
terity. 

"The cost of peace, Oh! who can teli its worth 
The prosperity of a united South and North, 
The stain of slavery from the Old Flag gone, 
The Nation living happy, united, strong." 

The compiler wishes to make mention of the great 



Vlll PilKFACE. 

assistance rendered by Col. S. P. Richmond, Capt. 
William Mason, Lieutenant Lyle and Lieutenant 
Wilber, George A. Grant, Morton V. Bonney, and the 
writers of company histories, and corrected rosters 
up to date. We more than thank all for their work 
of patriotic effort with the one desire to serve the 
members of the Third Regiment, who served in the 
same from 1861 to 1863, and many of the same regi- 
ment who served in the various regiments and unat- 
tached companies until the close of the Rebellion. 
The aim of the compiler has been to make each 
chapter complete in its narrative and historical 
record, without referring to other chapters. 

The Compiler, 

Rev. Dr. John Gray Gammons. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

Page. 

History of the Third Regiment Massachusetts Vol- 
unteer Militia, 1861 — Three Months' Service 6 

CHAPTER II. 

History of the Third Regiment Massachusetts Vol- 
unteer Militia — Nine Months' Service in North 
Carolina, 1862-3 18 

CHAPTER III. 

Historical Record of the Field and Non-Commis- 

sioned Staff Officers 49 

CHAPTER IV. 
History of Company A ^^ 

CHAPTER V. 
History of Company B H^ 

CHAPTER VI. 
History of Company C 1'^^ 



X CONTENTS. 

(CHAPTER VII. 

Page. 

History of Company D 150 

CHAPTER VIII. 

History of Company E 185 

CHAPTER IX. 
History of Company F 205 

CHAPTER X. 
History of Company G . . . . . . 221 

CHAPTER XI. 
History of Company H 230 

CHAPTER XII. 
History of Company I ..... . 251 

CHAPTER XIIL 

History of Company K . . . . . . 272 

CHAPTER XIV. 

History of Third Regiment Massachusetts Vohm- 

teer Association .306 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Rev. Dr. John G. Gammons . 


Fi 


•ontispiece 


Col. Silas P. Richmond . 


Opposite 


page 


49 


Lieut.-Col. James Barton 


a 


(( 


53 


Major John Morrissey . 


a 


a 


54 


Adjutant Lucian L. Perkins . 


a 


u 


56 


Surgeon Alfred A. Stocker . 


a 


u 


58 


Chaplain Rev. Charles A. Snow 


a 


u 


60 


Capt. John W. Marble . 


a 


a 


66 


Capt. Elihu Grant 


a 


a 


133 


Capt. Andrew R. Wright 


a 


a 


150 


Capt. John A. Hawses . 


a 


ii 


185 


Capt. George R. Hurlburt 


u 


a 


205 


Capt. William S. Cobb 


a 


(( 


221 


Capt. Otis A. Baker 


a 


a 


230 


Capt. Barnabas Ewer, Jr. 


u 


(« 


251 


Capt. Samuel Bates 


a 


u 


272 


Sergt. Patrick Cannavan 


a 


u 


207 


Sketch of the Goldsboro Expeditic 


n " 


u 


26 



INTRODUCTORY. 



At the annual reunion of the regimental associa- 
tion held in East Bridgewater, Aug. 6, 1903, the 
question of publishins^ the history of the Third Regi- 
ment was enthusiastically discussed and approved. 
Much valuable material had already been secured 
by one of the members and the prospect was bright 
and encouraging that an interesting and valuable 
narrative could be produced. A committee of ten, 
one from each company, was chosen to prepare his- 
tories and rosters of their respective companies, to 
aid in compiling the general history. It was unani- 
mously voted that the work of compiling and pub- 
lishing the history be committed to Chaplain Snow, 
under the suj^ervision of the Committee. Several 
changes have sinc€ been found necessary to be made 
in the construction of the Committee, as some of 
the members first appointed were not able to do the 
work assigned them. No great delay, however, has 
been caused by these changes, and the preparation 
of the volume has been made with reasonable dili- 
gence and dispatch. 



2 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

In compiling this work the writer has acted as 
annalist rather than author, This is usually the 
fact in the narration of history, but particularly so 
in the present case, since the work has been largely 
to arrange materials, and in many portions in 
nearly verbatim form, as they were furnished by 
others. The labor has proved an agreeable pastime 
and this is the only remuneration sought or desired. 
Should the volume receive a gratified welcome from 
the comrades who served with me in the old Third 
Regiment this fact will be regarded as bonus in ad- 
dition. 

The Third Regiment does not presume to claim. 
in any special sense, the honors of a very eventful 
career. Circumstances beyond its control made this 
impossible. Equipped with unserviceable arms, 
which were duly condemned but never exchanged 
for better ones, and being assigned mainly to garri- 
son duty, the term of service of the Third Regiment 
was completed without the gravest hardships. I 
am sure, however, that the regiment had the esprit 
de corps requisite for the sternest military service 
and sacrifice. It only lacked the opportunity to 
prove itself. This proof has been given in a meas- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. ^ 

ure at least, by those who re-enlisted and did noble 
service in other regiments, particularly the Fifty- 
eighth. 

I have been greatly assisted in the collection of 
materials, and in their verification, by many of my 
comrades, and their interest has been to me a de- 
cided stimulus. The names of the most prominent 
ones are given in connection with the articles which 
they have contributed. 

Besides the valuable aid rendered by the Commit- 
tee, especial commendation is due to Major A. S. 
Cushman of East Orange, N. J., whose contributions 
are of eminent value as matters of history. 

Charles A. Snow, 

Chaplain, 1862-'63. 



Notes.— Cities and towns mentioned in this volume maybe understood 
as being in Massachusetts. Otherwise tlie states are designated in which 
they are located. 

The photos representing the field and staff officers, also the line officers, 
were taken at about the time of enlistment in 1862. 



HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 



OUR FLAG. 



'* 'TwAs eighteen hundred sixty one, April the twelfth at six, 
Old Sumter's gates were firmly barred, and water filled the ditch ; 
And the sentinel with martial tread, the relief expected soon. 
When upon the air so calm and still, there came a cannon boom. 

" Beat the long roll," the Major cried, " bid every man fall in, 
Secession's work so long delayed, the Rebels now begin; 
But just as true as the Old Flag does from the flagstaff fly, 
"We'll show the Rebs true Yankee grit, we'll whip them or we'll die . ' ' 

Boom ! boom ! the cannon loud did roar, the shot flew thick and fast, 
And many a shell of a hundred pounds close to Old Glory passed . 
Said Anderson, " My noble men, such things should never be, 
Those stars of light, those bars of gold are emblems of the free." 

" That flag, the glory of our land, should we but pull it down, 
Would make our mothers weep for shame, and our sweethearts on 

us frown." 
And every man he loud did shout, " Hurrah ! Hurrah ! Hurrah ! 
No traitor's hand shall touch that flag, or its glory ever mar! " 

Our dear Old Flag, in darkest days, inspired the old war song, 
** We're coming Father Abraham, three hundred thousand strong." 
And when the mud of the Sacred Soil made weary soldiers lag. 
Then new strength came to march again as we beheld the flag. 

When on the field of Winchester, in the thickest of the fight, 
The Stars and Stripes were seen aloft, it gave the soldiers might; 
And when we all were driven back and thought we'd lost the day, 
Then daring Sheridan came up, and unto us did say : 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 

" Right about march, just follow me, I'm with you although late ; 
Fix bayouets, charge the Rebel lines, and all the ground retake." 
And every man, on foot, on horse, looked like a son of Mars, 
As he shouted " Down the Rebel flag." '* Hurrah! the Stripes and 
Stars! " 

At Gettysburg, our dear Old Flag was riddled by the shot 
And men had fallen by the score, by roadside and in lot. 
For three long days we fought the Rebs, repelling Pickett's charge. 
And the victory of the Old, Old Flag, did every heart enlarge. 

"When in our country's darkest hour, our Grant was heard to say : 
'* Be true, my men, to the Old Flag, and you'll shall see some day 
That victory like the morning sun, will rise and on us shine, 
For that Old Flag, so dear to me, I'll fight upon this line." 

At Appomattox, in sixty five, we charged the Rebel lines. 
And then in silence, there we stood waiting for further signs 
Until we saw General Grant pass, in arm with General Lee, 
For the Flag of Slavery had surrendered to the great Flag of the 
Free. 

Then wave. Old Flag, wave evermore, our fathers fought for thee ; 
Thy very presence make us glad, as thy Stars and Stripes we see. 
Thou art the sign of liberty, the glory of our land. 
And long our institutions free, like bulwarks sure shall stand. 

Sentinel of old, stand at thy ijost, and from the flagstaff fly ; 
For thee, and for thy honor bright, our comrades dared to die. 
Receive the honors due to thee, and may we all be true 
To the Stars and Strii^es, our country's flag: The Red, The White, 
The Blue. 

By the Compiler. 



CHAPTER I. 

History op the Third Regiment, Massachusetts 
Volunteer Militia, 1861 — Three Months^ 
Service. 

" Pride of New England ! Soul of our fathers ! 
Shrink we all craven-like, when the storm gathers ? 
"What though the tempest be over us lowering, 
"Where's the New Englander shamefully cowering ? 
Graves green and holy around us are lying,— 
Free were the sleepers all, living and dying ! 

If we whispered the truth, whisper no longer ; 
Speak as the tempest does, sterner and stronger ; 
Still be the tones of truth louder and firmer. 
Startling the haughty South with the deep murmur ; 
God and our charter's right, freedom forever ! 
Truce with oppression, never, O, never I " 

J. G. Whittier. 

The Third Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer 
Infantry, as its number seems to indicate, claims 
relationship with the earliest forces of the Common- 
wealth. The claim is well sustained by the fact 
that seven companies from Bristol and Plymouth 
counties helped to compose the original regiment. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. • 

and became the nucleus of the Third Kegiment 
which served in the Civil War. These seven com- 
panies were: 

Company A, Halifax Light Infantry. 

Organized in 1792, receiving its charter from John 
Hancock, then Governor of Massachusetts. The of- 
ficers at that time were: Capt. Asa Thompson, 
First Lieut. Cephus Washburn, Jr., Second Lieut. 
Charles P. Lyon. 

Captain Thompson was a mighty man of valor, of 
gigantic proportions, being six feet and seven inches 
in height in normal condition, and eight feet with 
his captain's cap on. On parade and muster this 
company attracted attention, not only by the Saul- 
like appearance of its captain, but also by the large 
bearskin caps worn by the officers and men. Tradi- 
tion says that when Captain Thompson marched 
his army across South Boston bridge, throngs of 
men, women, and children collected to see ^^the 
giant" and his men, and not a few trembled with 
fear lest the bridge should not be able to support 
the captain and his great company. 

W^hen called into service in 1861 this company 



8 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

was officered by Capt. Joseph S. Harlow, of Middle- 
boro; First Lieut. Ceplius Washburn, Jr., of King- 
ston; Second Lieut. Charles P. Lyon, of Halifax, 

Company B, Standish Guards^ op Plymouth. 

At the opening of the War this company was of- 
ficered by Capt. C. C. Doten, of Plymouth; First 
Lieut. Otis Rogers, of Plymouth; Second Lieut. 
William B. Alexander, of Boston. Officers and men, 
69. 

Company C, Cambridge Light Infantry. 

Capt. James P. Richardson; First Lieut. Sam- 
uel E. Chamberlain; Second Lieut. Edward F. 
Richardson. Officers and men, 97. 

Company G, Assonet Light Infantry, of Freetown. 

Organized in 1850. Capt. John W. Marble; First 
Lieut. Humphrey A. Francis; Second Lieut. John 
M. Dean. Officers and men, 24. 

Company H, Samoset Guards, Plympton. 
On entering the three months' service this com- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 

pany had as its officers: Capt. Lucian L. Perkins; 
First Lieut. Oscar E. Washburn, of Plympton; 
Second Lieut. Southworth, of Middleboro. Officers 
and men, 56. 

Company K, Bay State Light Infantry. 
Capt. William S. McFarlin, of South Carver; 
First Lieut. John Dunham, of North Carver; Sec 
ond Lieut., John L. Porter, of New Bedford. Offi- 
cers and men, 62. 

Company L, City Guards. 
Organized in 1853. Capt. Timotliy Ingraham, of 
New Bedford; First Lieut. James Barton, of New 
Bedford ; Second Lieut. Austin S. Cushman, of Ne\v 
Bedford. Officers and men, 78. 



Third Regiment Infantry, Three Months' Men. 

[Furnished by Major Cushman.] 

This regiment was under the command of Col. 
D. W. Wardrop, and was composed of troops re- 
siding in localities more widely separated from their 
commander's headquarters and from Boston than 



10 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

any other regiment in the State, and therefore in 
any comparisons which may be made with other 
troops regarding the relative rapidity of their mo- 
bilization in responding to the President's call for 
troops, tliis fact becomes important. 

It was on the afternoon of Monday, April 15th, 
that Special Order, No. 14, was issued by Governor 
Andrew and dispatched by mail, and a special mes- 
senger sent to the respective colonels of the Third, 
Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Regiments. The 
colonel of the Third resided in New Bedford, a dis- 
tance of fifty -six miles from Boston; that of the 
Fourth in Quincy, eleven miles ; that of the Fifth in 
^Medford, five miles; that of the Sixth in Pepperell, 
about thirty-seven miles, and that of the Eighth in 
Lynn, eleven miles. The order was received by Col- 
onel Wardrop the same evening, and at once promul- 
gated to Company L, and some members of his staff 
were dispatched to convey his orders to the other 
companies. Horace Scott, President of the Fair- 
haven Railroad, gratuitously tendered a special 
train as far as Tremont for the messengers going to 
Halifax, Carver, Plympton, and Plymouth. The last 
named place was fifty-eight miles from New Bed- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 



11 



ford, not accessible at that time of night by rail- 
road, nor were the other places above named, yet 
Company A received its orders at two a. m., April 
16th, and Company B received its orders at three 
A. M., April 16th, and both companies reported in 
Boston at noon of the same day. It has not been 
possible to ascertain when Company G at Freetown 
received its orders, but it is credited with having 
reported for duty ^^promptly." The same may be 
said of Company H, of Plympton, and Company K, 
of Carver. The Freetown company had to travel 
forty-eight miles by rail, the Plympton and Carver 
companies thirty miles, and the Halifax company 
twenty-eight miles, after leaving their homes scat- 
tered miles apart and distant from the stations. It 
is surprising that with the limited railroad facili- 
ties of those days and without modern means of in- 
tercommunication by telegraph or telephone, in the 
midst of a cold spring northeaster, over roads al- 
most impassible with mud and thawing snow, that 
the orders should have been so rapidly transmitted 
and so promptly obeyed. 

Col. David W. Wardrop was proficient in military 
tactics. He had first served as lance corporal in 



12 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

the old Boston Fusi leers, and afterwards belonged 
to the City Guards of New Bedford. Some credited 
him witli having a West Point education. At all 
events, he was in his element when performing any 
military duty, and inspired his men with confidence 
in his military ability. He was prompt, coura- 
geous, and energetic, but his regiment was small 
and widely scattered over two counties. At the 
time of promulgating Special Orders, No. 14, it con- 
sisted of but six companies, yet he strove with the 
governor for the honor of being the first regiment 
to leave the State. 

Captain Richardson's company from Cambridge 
was attached to the regiment April 16th as Com- 
pany C, and on May 9th at Fortress Monroe Cap- 
tain Chipman's company from Sandwich, Capt. 
Charles C. Doten's company from Plymouth, Capt. 
W. D. Chamberlain's company from Lynn, and 
Capt. J. K. Tyler's company from Boston, all three 
years' companies, were temporarily assigned to the 
Third Regiment, and designated as Companies D, 
E, I, and M, respectively. 

The original companies, including Company C. 
embarked on the steamer 8. R. SpauJd'mg April 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 13 

17th. from Central \Vbarf, in the early evening and 
dropped down the harbor to await supplies. She 
sailed under sealed orders tl*e next forenoon, to find 
when nine miles out that her destination was For- 
tress Monroe, which was reached at eleven a. m., 
Saturday, April 20th, after a voyage of forty-seven 
and one-half hours. 

That afternoon the regiment embarked on the 
gunboat Pawnee^ and at five o'clock proceeded to 
Gosport Navy Yard under orders from Washington 
to destroy the dry dock construction houses and all 
vessels and munitions of war which could not be 
secured against seizure by the rebels. As they ap- 
proached their destination in the darkness the ves- 
sels there were uncertain whether the unexpected 
troops were friends or foes of the Union, and so the 
Pawnee and all on board were for a Avhile exposed 
to imminent peril of instant destruction by a broad- 
side from the Pennsylvania and a raking fire from 
the Cum'berland, whose crews and some of whose 
officers remained loyal to the Union, and stood with 
shotted guns and lanyards in hand breathlessly 
avraiting some sign by which the character of the 
mission of the approaching troops could be assured. 



14 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Finally the repeated hail of the Pmvnce's boatswain 
convinced the loyal sailors that loyal troops had 
come to their support, and then the night air re 
echoed with enthusiastic shouts and added volume 
to the inspiring strains of the ^^Star Spangled Ban- 
ner," which was played by the splendid band on the 
quarter-deck of the Pennsylvania. 

Time has satisfied the public that the place could 
have been held and the enormous loss avoided, 
which resulted from the attempt at destruction. It 
speaks well for the Third that its colonel was of 
that opinion at the time and volunteered to hold it 
with his small force until re-enforced. Commodore 
Paulding, however, felt compelled by his orders to 
decide others ise, and soon buildings and ships were 
aflame as the various details proceeded with their 
several tasks. Even the detail taken from Com- 
pany B to assist in mining the dry dock were driven 
from their work before its entire accomplishment 
by the extreme heat. Two companies, A and B, 
were on guard as a reserve, as it was known that 
two rebel companies were at Norfolk. Other de- 
tails threw cutlasses, sabres, shot and shell into the 
river, and every man worked energetically at his al- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 15 

lotted task in the light of the great conflagration 
until he was aboard the PaicneG for return to For- 
tress Monroe, where she arrived Sunday, April 21st, 
at six A. M. Thus the Third had been the first 
northern volunteer troop to land aggressively on 
Southern soil. 

The duties at Fortress Monroe were very arduous 
and fatiguing, and consisted in strengthening its 
defences and unloading, handling, and storing the 
enormous amount of provisions and other supplies 
for troops, which it was foreseen must be concen- 
trated there and in that vicinity. The regiment 
won the favor of the regulars, both officers and men, 
by its excellent discipline, strict attention paid to 
the details of guard duty and its precision in in- 
fantry drill. Colonel Dimick, the commandant, 
complimented Colonel Wardrop on commanding 
such a regiment, though the guard at sea battery 
had fired at the boat in which Colonel Dimick was 
returning from the Minnesota and wounded the cox- 
swain near whom Colonel Dimick was seated, for 
not answering his hail the night before. 

As soon as contrabands came into our lines in 
sufficient numbers (and Company G has the honor 



16 HISTORY OP THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

of turning in the first three, who applied for protec- 
tion to Charles R. Haskins, of Myricksville, while 
on picket), they were assigned to the heavier labors 
of the quartermaster's department. The regiment 
was thus enabled to pay more attention to its ordi- 
nary military duties. May 13th two companies and 
a fieldpiece held Hampton bridge, and May 24th 
Companies B and M made a reconnoisance with 
General Butler and took two prisoners. June 8th 
Com])anies B and C with loaded muskets suppressed 
insubordination in the Naval Brigade. They were 
finally relieved by Company E June 17th. 

July 1st the regiment was ordered to occupy 
Hampton during the remainder of its term, and 
Companies A, B, and C, constituted the main guard. 
Here during the remainder of its term it gained ex- 
perience in entrenching with the thermometer at 114 
degrees, and scouting with the thermometer one de- 
gree higher. On one occasion (July 5th) Com- 
panies L, B, and E, with a howitzer battery, were 
stationed on picket all night and an attack was ex- 
pected. July 14th a private of Company E was 
shot and beaten, but not killed, when outside our 
lines. On July 10th the regiment marched to For- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 17 

tress Monroe and embarked on the steamer Cam- 
hridge for Boston. On the 19th touched at Long 
Wharf and was ordered into camp at Long Island. 
On the 22d the regiment was mustered out of the 
service of the United States. The next day it 
landed at Boston, marched to the Common amid 
great enthusiasm, and was dismissed. It had 
never failed to discharge its duty. 

2 



18 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 



CHAPTER II. 

History of the Third Regiment, Massachusetts 
Volunteer Militia — Nine Months' Service in 
North Carolina, 18(>2-3. 

This Regiment was, in fact, what its name rep- 
resents, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia; not one 
drafted man was in its ranks. It was made up al- 
most entirely of men from Bristol and Plymouth 
counties; young men who were raised in good 
homes and educated in the schools of Massachu- 
setts. Quite a number were attending either high 
schools, seminaries, or colleges, or were graduates 
of the same. When the call was made for three 
hundred thousand men they left home, not for what 
they would get, but for what they would save; they 
went not for pay, but from principle; they went not 
because they were spoiling for a fight, but to save 
the country which they believed would be spoiled 
should they stay at home. It should be remembered 
that at this time there was no large bounties paid 
to recruits; indeed, few towns paid but a small 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 19 

bounty, and many towns paid no bounty to induce 
men to go to war; therefore, those who enlisted in 
1862 enlisted from patriotic principles. 

It is fair to say that the Third Regiment was com- 
posed of as good men as ever shouldered a musket 
or wore a sword. Many of the officers had seen ser- 
vice in the three months' regiments and in the State 
militia, and therefore were the better prepared to 
do efficient service in the nine months' campaign. 
Both officers and men were loyal soldiers, true pat- 
riots, ever ready to serve their country and defend 
Old Glory, So far as known each officer and pri- 
vate alw^ays responded to orders, and faithfully per- 
formed the duties confided to him, whether pleas- 
ant and easy, or hazardous and hard. Each went 
when and where ordered, and did his duties with- 
out grumbling or ''showing the white feather.'- If 
at any time one w^as afraid he had the good sense 
to keep it to himself. If any one felt that he was se- 
lected to fill a position of unusual danger, he was 
wise enough to keep his own counsel, do his duty to 
the best of his ability, and acquit himself like a 
man. 

This regiment was recruited in the months of 
August and September, 1862, and as soon as each 



20 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

company was filled it went into Camp Joe Hooker. 
This camp, situated in the town of Lakeville, some 
three miles south of the village of Middleboro, oc- 
cupied a large field near a beautiful pond, which 
was accessible to all who wished to enjoy the lux- 
ury of a daily bath. The camp was ample for forty 
companies to drill at one time. Here the com- 
panies were drilled in the setting-up drill, company 
movements, and practical guard duty. On the 23d 
of September the companies were mustered into the 
United States service by a regular army officer, and 
soon after were furloughed for one week, that they 
might visit their friends before going to the front. 
All but two men returned within the time of their 
furlough, one of whom deserted the service; the 
other, was returned by the provost guard after the 
regiment reached Newbern, N. 0. 

October 22d the regiment left Camp Joe Hooker 
and marched to the Lakeville depot, where they 
took cars for Boston. Marching to Long Wharf the 
right wing embarked on the steam transport Mcr- 
rimae, and the left on the steamer Mississippi for 
Newbern. Each of these steamers had on board 
one other full regiment, so that each steamer was 
taking out fifteen hundred men. One has only to 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 21 

imagine the crowded condition of the ships, when 
nearly the whole number were on deck at the same 
time, yet during the voyage there were no rows, no 
curse words, and no swaggering braggadocia. The 
sail down Boston Bay and around Cape Cod was 
anything but agreeable; many of the boys unwill- 
ingly paid their respects to Old Neptune. The re- 
mainder of the voyage was over a sea as smooth as 
a mill pond. 

Captain Baxter, of Hyannis, captain of the Mer- 
riniac, was the right man for the place he occupied. 
A born commander, he easily controlled not only his 
own officers and crew, but all on shipboard. There 
was no want that he could not supply. Was there 
contention as to which companies should first be 
served with cooked rations? He could determine 
to the satisfaction of all. Was there a clamor for 
fresh water? He would say, ^'Boys, I am condens- 
ing sixteen hundred gallons of water for you every 
twenty-four hours, and here you are shouting as if 
you were in an old-fashioned Methodist meeting," 
and the boys would answer, "Yes, captain, but the 
w^ater is too hot to drink," and he would reply, "I 
have on board fourteen hundred barrels of pure Co- 
chituate water, which I brought for you, call one of 



^2 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

YOur oflicers and break out as iniuli as you please.'^ 
Then taking his violin he would })laY and sing some 
home song which would pacify every discordant ele- 
ment and make everyone feel happy. 

Early on the morning of October 22d the shores 
of North Carolina were seen like a cloud rising 
from the ocean, and Captain Baxter remarked, 
''There is the land I expected to make at six 
o'clock this morning." When within three miles 
of Beaufort harbor we encountered a strong south- 
east gale and it was with difficulty that the pilot 
boarded our ship. As it was his boat was smashed 
into pieces. When entering the harbor we were 
shown Fort Macon, which General Burnside in his 
early campaign had taken, and which Federal 
troops now occupied. At Morehead City we em- 
barked on flat open cars for Newbern, and were 
shown the early battle grounds where General 
Burnside contested his right to enter and hold New- 
bern. 

Leaving the cars at the depot the Third Regiment 
marched to its camping ground on the east bank of 
the Neuse River, and near the city of Newbern. 
Here the regiment was given a hearty welcome by 
Captain Hart, of the Twenty-third Regiment, 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 23 

Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. This officer had 
erected tents and put the camp in fine order for the 
Third Regiment. Colonel Lee, also of the Twenty- 
seventh, extended greetings. Later on the Third 
was for a short time attached to his brigade, until 
transferred to the brigade of Col. J. Jourdan, where 
it continued during its term of service. 

Camp equipage and arms were received in a short 
time and the regiment was drilled several hours 
daily. Nearly all the drilling was the manual of 
arms, battalion and brigade movenjents. The arms 
distributed to the Third were not up to the stand- 
ard. They were said to be Austrian rifle muskets 
captured from a blockade runner. Great improve- 
ments were made on them by the regimental and 
company armorers; yet the Confederate loss prom- 
ised little gain to the Union forces, except in the 
moral force of showing that the regiment had arms 
and was prepared to use them at close quarters, at 
least when occasion required. These arms were 
duly condemned by an inspecting officer and efforts 
made to exchange them for serviceable ones, but 
without success. 

A variety of duties attested the intelligence and 
endurance of the regiment as a whole, and of its 



24 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

companies on detached service. October 30th Com- 
panies A and B were detached for picket duty at 
Newport Barracks, where they remained for more 
than a month, during which time they with a pla- 
toon of cavalry and a battery made an expedition 
to Peltier's Mills, and for the first time learned the 
superiority of army shoes on the march in contrast 
to stylish boots. 

Picket duty taught the boys how to find their own 
beef and pork, and occasionally honey, which 
abounded in that part of North Carolina. In gar- 
rison duty, reconnoissances, engineering work, ex- 
hausting marches sometimes with the thermometer 
ranging over one hundred in the shade and the dust 
inches deep, and on the field of battle, the skill and 
bravery of the regiment was well displayed. One 
company sent to build a bridge over Bachelor's 
Creek were so efficient in construction work that 
they finished their work and returned to camp in 
two days, notwithstanding it was supposed to take 
one company a month to accomplish the job. Many 
of the men of that company were bridge builders 
before the war. 

Thirty men sent to do picket duty at Creek No. 1 
held that station for three months, although they 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 25 

were constantly in fear of being surprised, and 
nearly all the time slept with their muskets beside 
them. 

November 11th our jjickets at Deep Gully were 
atacked and the Third Regiment were under arms 
all night. November 30th Company I was detailed 
for duty at Plymouth and Elizabeth City, N. C, 
where it did garrison duty five months, and suffered 
special casualties during a siege by the Confeder- 
ates, losing in killed, wounded, and prisoners 
nearly thirty men. (See history of Company I.) 
At different times nearly every company in the reg- 
iment were detailed for picket or special duty. (See 
Company history.) During the month of December, 
1862, the Third Regiment rendered good service in 
connection with the expedition made by General 
Foster into the interior of North Carolina, the ob- 
ject being to cut the Confederate means of supplies 
by the Wilmington and Goldsboro railroad. 

The following is a verbatim report of General 
Foster to the War Department. The accompany- 
ing sketch will help the reader to understand the 
march of the expedition and the battles fought. 

From the report of Ma j. -Gen. J. G. Foster, to the 
Joint Congressional Committee on the Conduct of 



*i6 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

the War. Copied from the report of that Commit- 
tee, printed by the Government, supplement, part 
2, page 11, of General Foster's report: 

'^Expedition to (toldsboro, North Carolina, 
IN December, 1862." 

"General Burnside having moved the army of the 
Potomac towards the Rappahannock with the in- 
tention of crossing, I was ordered by Major-General 
Halleck, general-in-chief of the armies of the United 
States, to advance with my whole available force 
and destroy the railroad bridge at Goldsboro, and 
as much of the track as possible; the movement to 
be made simultaneous with the crossing at Fred- 
ericksburg. Accordingly, having been reinforced by 
one brigade from Major-General Dix's corps at For- 
tress Monroe, I advanced from Newbern on the 12th 
of December, 1862, with four brigades and forty 
pieces of artillery, in all about twelve thousand 
men. After removing the obstructions placed in 
the roads of the retreating rebels, I pushed a cav- 
alry force directly toward Kinston, which surprised 
the main picket guard of the enemy and drove it in. 
Under cover of this feint the main body was moved 
rapidly by the left so as to strike Southwest Creek 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. '27 

at the most westerly of the four bridges that cross it. 
As anticipated this bridge was found weakly guarded. 
While occupying this guard in front a regiment 
was thrown across the creek on a milldam, which 
by a vigorous and unexpected charge captured the 
artillery guarding the bridge, and thus opened it to 
our advance. This was late at night. At daylight 
on the following morning v>'e advanced upon Kins- 
ton. The enemy was encountered in a chosen posi- 
tion on the south side of the Neuse River, where the 
road crossed a swamp closely filled with thick un- 
dergrowth. The enemy occupied a ridge just be- 
yond the swamp. For over two hours our attack 
failed to dislodge the enemy. Finally, after strong 
demonstrations on both flanks, a decisive effort was 
made in the centre, in which one of my best regi- 
ments, the Tenth Connecticut Volunteers, gallantly 
charged through the enemy's line and seized and 
held the bridge over the Neuse, in the rear. The en- 
emy then broke. A part retreated rapidly up the 
south bank of the Neuse; the remainder were cap- 
tured. We crossed the river at once and occupied 
Kinston. General Evans rapidly retreated, with 
the garrison of the defences of the town, up the 
north bank of the river, closely pursued by our cav- 



28 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

airy. We captured during the day seven hundred 
prisoners, nine pieces of artillery, four heavy guns, 
and a large quantity of ammunition, which being 
stored in houses in the town, we could only partially 
destroy without destroying the town. The informa- 
tion obtained at Kinston went to show that Gen- 
eral Burnside had been repulsed at Fredericksburg; 
that General Lee had telegraphed Gen. G. W. 
Smith, at Goldsboro; that he could send him thirty 
thousand men, if necessary, to resist our advance; 
and that strong defences had been constructed at 
Mosely Hall and other points where the road 
crosses diflScult streams. Believing, however, that 
by deceiving the enemy and rapid marching, the ob- 
ject of the expedition could be attained, I deter- 
mined to go on. As a feint, the army was pushed 
out a few miles on the Goldsboro road and en- 
camped. At daylight it retraced its steps, crossed 
the river, burnt the bridge behind it, and rapidly 
marched up the south bank. At Whitehall a sharp 
affair took place. A rebel gunboat was being built 
at that point and a considerable force was there to 
defend it and prevent our crossing. Every attempt 
to cross infantry to burn the boat failed. All the 
artillery was then opened and soon completely rid- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 29 

died the vessel. It served also to give the impres- 
sion that an attempt to force a crossing was made. 
Leaving a few men to keep up that impression, the 
main body marched rapidly up the river and 
reached the railroad bridge as the smoke was seen 
ascending from the Mount Olive station, which the 
cavalry had destroyed. The enemy was not 
prepared for us; their force was scattered; large 
numbers had been detached towards Whitehall and 
Kinston. The brigade on the south side at the 
bridge was soon whipped and driven from the field. 
The bridge was burned despite the efforts of the 
force collecting on the north bank; and before any 
considerable concentration could be made to dis- 
turb us, we had destroyed several miles of the track. 
As the column moved off on its return, having ac- 
complished its purpose, a brigade made an attack 
on our rear guard, which repulsed it with severe 
loss. After that no attack was made and the col- 
umn returned quietly to Newbern. The force in the 
department of North Carolina was now increased 
and constituted by the President, the Eighteenth 
Army Corps, under my command." 

While General Foster's report is a most excellent 



80 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MxkSSACHUSETTS 

one, still it must be remembered that it is a report 
made from the standpoint of the whole expedition, 
and deals little with particulars onl}^ as seen in bat- 
tles. It remains for the writer of the Third Regi- 
ment to state the part taken by that regiment in 
the expedition. 

On Dec. 11, 1862, at six a. m., in a dense fog, the 
Third Regiment formed line on the left of General 
Lee's brigade, the third brigade in the column. No 
secrets were withheld from the hojs. Everyone 
knew that a march was before them, that fighting 
was expected and hardships were anticipated, yet 
every officer and man cheerfully responded to the 
order, ''March!" 

The obstacles mentioned by General Foster in his 
report were great trees felled across the road for 
several hundred yards, and it was impossible to 
pass until such obstacles were removed. This was 
soon accomplished by our "Black Pioneer Brigade." 
Another obstacle was that nearly every bridge 
which crossed creeks and rivers was guarded by 
rebel pickets, who fired the bridges just before they 
retreated, making it impossible for either infantry 
or artillery to pass until the bridges were rebuilt, 
save in a few instances where the rivers were ford- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. ?>1 

able. Over soDie parts of the march great turpen- 
tine trees were on fire, which falling across the road 
made marching that way quite dangerous; yet 
through fire and water the expedition made twelve 
miles the first day, notwithstanding our skirmish- 
ers were in constant action with the rebel pickets. 
Never were men more glad than the Third Regi- 
ment when ordered to bivouac for the night, and 
never was mattress or feather bed more acceptable 
than "Mother Earth" to the boys that night. Both 
fires and loud talking were forbidden. All save the 
men on picket duty slept; slept like tired children. 

Friday the Third was detailed to guard the bag- 
gage train, which it faithfully did until twelve at 
night. All this day our advance v\^ere face to face 
with the rebel pickets, which in some instances 
showed stubborn resistance; in others but a sem- 
blance of resistance, but always burned the bridges 
they were defending before retiring towards Kins- 
ton. These men seemed to be possessed more with 
the spirit of burning than with the spirit of patri- 
otism. 

Consulting the sketch map you will find that 
when the column had passed Muscleshell Creek and 
Resolution Bavou the armv had taken the Trent 



32 HISTORY OP THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

road (the most direct road from Newbern to Kins- 
ton) until near Bear Creek. It was from this point 
that General Foster ^^pushed a cavalry force di- 
rectly toward Kinston, which surprised the main 
picket guard of the enemy and drove it in," into its 
fortified position south of Kinston. Under cover 
of this feint the main body was moved rapidly by 
the left so as to strike Southwest Creek at the most 
westerly of the four bridges that cross it. As an- 
ticipated this bridge was found weakly guarded. 
While occupying this guard in front a regiment 
was thrown across the creek on a milldam, which 
by a vigorous and unexpected charge captured the 
artillery guarding the bridge, and thus opened it to 
our advance." It has been learned on good author- 
ity that the regiment which made the above men- 
tioned charge was the Ninth New Jersey. This 
bit of information can be found in the Adjutant- 
General's report of Massachusetts in the report of 
the Twenty-third Massachusetts Regiment and 
reads like this: ''The Ninth New Jersey crossed 
through the old mill, charged the enemy, captured 
two pieces of artillery, and the rebels retreated." 
General Foster says, "this was late at night." "At 
daylight the following morning (Sunday) we ad- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 



33 



vanced upon Kinston.'' It should be remembered 
that the column after passing Wine Creek aban- 
doned the main road leading to Kinston, took an 
unfrequented turpentine road through the woods, 
and came upon the right flank of the Confederate 
army, which was in line on the opposite side of the 
swamp, where their batteries were posted to resist 
our advance on Kinston. The road through this 
swamp was as straight as an arrow and covered 
with water nearly a foot deep. The position of the 
Third Regiment on the opposite side of the swamp 
was near the hospital and the sight of the dead and 
wounded was anything but reassuring, as they were 
carried to the rear; yet when the order was given 
^'Forward !" not a man flinched, and the Third Regi- 
ment went through the swamp on the double-quick. 
The first brigade having turned the rebels' right, 
and captured a battery and several hundred pris- 
oners there was little left for the Third to do but to 
join in the shout of victory, view the |)risoners, 
sympathize with the wounded in the Old Baptist 
Church, view the dead in the woods, and march into 
Kinston. As we marched over the beautiful bridge 
which spans the Neuse River, we saw the wise gen- 
3 



34 HISTORY OP" THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

eralsliip of General Foster in coming upon Kinston 
through the swamp instead of the main road, where 
the rebels had erected earthv.-orks and mounted 
guns, which would command tlie road for more than 
two miles. 

Our place of bivouac in Kinston was on the park, 
which was enclosed by a rail fence, five rails high. 
Captain Grant, of Company C, Third Regiment, be- 
ing officer of the day, gave strict orders that only 
the topmost rails should be taken. This order was 
so strictly obeyed that in the morning not a vestige 
of the fence remained ; each man had taken only the 
top rail. 

Words fail to describe the things seen on that 
park the next morning, feather and straw beds, mat- 
tresses, pillows, sheets, and bed clothes of nearly all 
kinds and description, china teasets, bottles of per- 
fumery, and almost everything in the housekeeping 
line. Tobacco and cigars cotild be had without the 
asking. Feathers were seen all over the ground, 
indicating that someone had been engaged in the 
poultry business on an immense scale during the 
night. 

The bugle sounded very early and the command 
recrossed the bridge and resumed the march to- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 



85 



wards Goldsboro. An old colored woman standing 
bv the roadside raised her hands as we were pass- 
ing and shouted, "You honeys of Lincoln's army 
need fear nothing from nobody between here and 
Richmond! De good Lawd bless you all!" 

At Whitehall we again encountered the Confed- 
erate forces, which General Foster handsomely out- 
witted. He gave them the impression that his 
whole force was engaged, while the fact was that 
only a few regiments with nearly all his batteries 
were in action ; the bulk of the command were push- 
ing on toward Goldsboro. Failing to find any way 
for the infantry to cross the river and burn the gun- 
boat in the process of building, orders were given 
for all the batteries to concentrate their fire on the 
gunboat, which was soon destroyed. A few men 
were left to keep up the impression that it was Gen- 
eral Foster's purpose to cross the river, the main 
army marching rapidly on toward Goldsboro. 

At Everettsville we again came upon the rebel 
pickets, who fled without firing a gun. Shells from 
our battery hastened their retreat toward the rail- 
road bridge. This they crossed and joined the main 
force, which so far as we could learn were in the 
woods near the railroad. After shelling the woods 



36 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

for nearly three hours, the Third Regiment was or- 
dered to take position near the Wilmington railroad 
and parallel with it. Here it remained until a 
railroad monitor was destro^^ed by our batteries 
and the railroad bridge burned; then we were or- 
dered to stack arms and proceed to tear up the 
track and burn the ties. This order was executed 
with such vigor that in less than one hour three 
miles of ties were on fire. Had the rebels not lost 
their heads they could have captured the Third 
Regiment, for it was without arms. As it was. 
Captain Marble, of Company A, barely escaped be- 
ing captured by a rebel picket post in the woods, 
not a hundred yards from the railroad. 

After executing its orders the regiment was or- 
dered to its arms and marched back over the hill. 
While here it was reported that the enemy was ad- 
vancing with a flag of tinice and a company of cav- 
alry went to receive it. Judge our surprise when 
it was fired upon by a rebel brigade, ambushed on 
the opposite side of the railroad. Immediately the 
brigade crossed the railroad and charged on Morri- 
son's and Belger's batteries. At this time the 
writer was standing near Captain Belger and heard 
that oflScer say, "There they come, now we will have 



VOLUNTEER MILITIxV. 37 

some fun,-' and, witliout waiting for orders from 
General Lee, the commander of the only brigade 
then on the field (the so-called rear guard), Captain 
Belger gave the order, "Action front, double shotted 
canister! Load! Aim! Fire!" At this time the en- 
em v were within two hundred yards of his guns and 
the Third Regiment was supporting this and Morri- 
son's Battery, with their two batteries firing upon 
the advancing brigade. I need not say that they 
w^ere long in wiping it out. Two other brigades 
which charged on the left centre of our brigade 
were soon driven back in disorder. 

It is supposed that seeing Morrison's and Bel- 
ger's batteries still on the field, they thought it a 
fine thing to capture those two popular batteries; 
it being quite dark they did not notice that these 
batteries were supported by infantry. Moreover, 
they had opened a mill gate, which created a tor- 
rent through w^hich the batteries must pass in go- 
ing from the field, but they were too badly punished 
to follow out their plans. When the Third came to 
the stream they found it a roaring torrent; yet 
through the icy cold water they went, and when 
the whole brigade with the batteries were over, we 
were only too glad to be told that we w^ould have to 



38 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

march ten miles before bivouacking for the night. 
At nine o'clock we reached the main army and laid 
down in our frozen clothes until the following 
morning, when we began our march toward New- 
bern. We reached Newbern without molestation 
on the twentA'-first day of December, having been 
absent eleven days, and having marched over one 
hundred and fifty miles. 

In the engagements had the only casualties suf- 
fered by the Third as reported, were six wounded. 
By special order of General Foster the names of 
''Kinston," ''Whitehall," and ''Goldsboro" were in- 
scribed upon the regimental flag. 

December 30th the Third Eegiment was attached 
to General Heckman's brigade in anticipation of go- 
ing further south, but when inspected by Captain 
Abel, of General Heckman's staff, the arms were 
found to be of such poor quality that they were for 
the second time condemned, and failing to get them 
replaced by good arms. General Heckman sent the 
following communication to Colonel Richmond: 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 39 

To Colonel S. P. RiCHrdOND, Commanding Third Regiment, 
M. V. 3/., Headquarters First Brigade, Nagle's Division, 

Newbern, N. C, Jan. 12, 1863. 

Colonel: In the report of my Assistant Adjutant-General 
who inspected your regiment last muster, the arms you now 
have were condemned. 1 have made every effort since to have 
the arms changed to retain you in my brigade, but time would 
not permit and another regiment has been assigned. 

Accept my regrets that your regiment was not in condition 
to remain (as regards equipments). The soldierly appearance 
and conduct of your officers have made a favorable impression, 
and I part with you with regret. 

Very respectfully yours, 

C. A. HECKMAN, 

Br igadier-Generol Corntnanding First Brigade, 

Nagle's Division, Eighteenth Army Corjis. 

General Foster says, "The Third Regiment always 
obeys orders and performs all its duties promptly 
and without grumbling." General Prince says, 
"The Third Massachusetts Regiment and its com- 
mander can be trusted with important duties with 
a certainty that they will be performed promptly 
and well. Colonel Jourdan says, ^'The Third Regi- 
ment is always ready for duty." 

On January 28th the regiment moved to Camp 



40 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Joiirdan, near Fort Totten. This location was not 
a desirable one; neither was the ground in a condi- 
tion for the dwelling place of men. It was consid- 
ered a vein- unhealthy locality, but it was one of the 
most important points in the defences of Newbern. 
The first thing done was the removal of more than 
five hundred cords of the refuse from stables, 
dumped there. Many ditches were made, the camp 
graded and trees planted until the medical director 
pronounced it one of the cleanest, prettiest, and 
most healthy camps near Newbern, and he also 
made a report to that effect, complimenting the reg- 
imental commander and medical staff highly. 

March 6th the regiment was ordered to go with 
General Prince's division on an expedition into 
Jones and Onslow counties, where they remained 
five days. The Third with other troops under com- 
mand of Colonel Richmond was twice detailed for 
important detached service, and received the thanks 
of General Prince for the able manner in which the 
duty was performed. Several hundred prisoners 
were taken and brought to Newbern. While the 
men were quite affable, the officers were very sullen 
and did not care to talk with ^'Yankee mudsills.'' 

In the attack at Deep Gully, March 14th, and also 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 41 

on Fort Anderson, on tlie opposite side of the 
Neuse, the Third were under marching orders until 
the next day at one p. m., and then went on a recon- 
noisance to Polloeksville, returning to camp on the 
evening of the Ifith in the rain, with the mud more 
than a foot deep. So muddy were the roads that 
the regiment was eight hours marching ten miles. 

On the 17th Companies A, B, K, and H were or- 
dered to march to Deep Gully for picket duty, 
where they remained eight days. They were re- 
lieved by the One Hundred and Fifty-eighth New 
York Regiment, and marched back to Newbern. 

From April 2d on until the time of leaving this 
department (except when on expeditions), the 
Third Regiment furnished a detail of one hundred 
and fifty men daily for intrenchment work. 

April 5th orders were received to march to Fos- 
ter's Wharf with three days' rations. The regiment 
was there on time, expecting to go to Washington, 
N. C, but at six p. m., orders were received from 
General Foster to go back to camp. 

April 7th at six p. m. orders were received to 
march immediately with three days' rations, and 
the regiment proceeded to Foster's Wharf, were 
transported across the Neuse River, and bivouacked 



42 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

for the night. The next day we joined u column 
commanded bv General Spinola, and made a forced 
march to Blount's Creek, rear of Washington, to at- 
tempt to break the siege and relieve General Foster, 
who was there at the time. At the point of attack 
it was found that the rebels occupied a strong posi- 
tion on a hill, the only approach being a narrow de- 
file with heavy woods on either side. These condi- 
tions at the outset forbade hope of success. An en- 
gagement was made, the Third taking part in the 
movement, but they were met by so fierce a fire from 
the rebel batteries on the hill that it was thought 
expedient to retire. Captain Belger's horse was 
shot under him, and he was severely wounded, yet 
as he passed Colonel Richmond he said, "Give it to 
them. Colonel, we'll pay them off for this." Later 
we were informed that the rebels, believing that the 
Yankees would play some Yankee trick on tliem, left 
their position from fear of a flank movement. Of 
one thing we were assured, the siege of Washington 
was raised, and General Foster returnd to Xew- 
bern. This expedition was regarded as the most 
adventurous and exhausting of any in which the 
Third participated during its term of service. More 
than thirtv miles were covered bv a hurried march 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 43 

and the battle fought on the same day. So ex- 
hausted were the men that several had to be assisted 
to the place of bivouac for the night. 

April 13th Company D was sent on an expedition 
by steamer, forty miles down the Neuse River, to ex- 
plore the opposite shore. On leaving. General Fos- 
ter said, ''I want you to go down the river on a 
pleasure trip; it may be, however, that you will find 
other than pleasure somewhere." The company 
obeyed orders, but finding no rebels, it returned the 
follov/ing night. 

April 16th the Third Regiment received orders to 
march with a column under General Prince to Core 
Creek, where it remained six days, and was engaged 
in several skirmishes with the enemy. It was this 
movement combined with another column on the op- 
posite side of the Neuse River, which caused the 
rebels to evacuate their positions in front of Wash- 
ington, North Carolina, thereby relieving the Forty- 
fourth Massachusetts Volunteer Militia from their 
uncomfortable position. 

May 11th four companies were detailed for picket 
duty at Deep Gully, where they remained ten days. 

May 23d orders were received at eight p. m. to 
march immediately to a certain point near Batcliel- 



44 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

der's Creek, and await orders. Arriving at the 
point indicated they rested on arms. Tliis hurried 
movement was made in consequence of our pickets 
being driven in, and Colonel Jones, commander of 
the Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania, being killed during 
the engagement. The enemy having retired during 
the night, the regiment was ordered back to New- 
bern. This march was made through the dust six 
inches deep, and with the thermometer one hun- 
dred and ten degrees in the shade. We arrived in 
Newbern at twelve o'clock, a tired, besmeared, dust 
covered lot of soldiers. 

May 31st four companies marched to Deep Gully 
for picket duty, but being relieved by a detachment 
from Lee's brigade, they returned to Newbern the 
same evening. 

Newbern was twice threatened with assault, ap- 
parently for the purpose of retaking the city. The 
first occurred on the evening of Nov. 11, 1862, while 
the main army was absent on a reconnoitring 
march to Tarboro, in the northern part of the state, 
leaving the Third almost alone in the defence of the 
city. The regiment was under arms all night, and 
re-enforcements were brought up from Newport. The 
alarm was caused by a fierce attack made upon the 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 



45 



pickets at Deep Gully, a few miles out on the Trent 
road, one man being killed and several wounded. 
The regiments that had been absent for nearly two 
weeks were now returning and the rebels withdrew 
the following day. 

The second assault was made on March 14, 1863, 
operating from different directions ; one by the way 
of the Trent road, the other approaching from 
across the Neuse River. The latter division was 
vigorously handled by the garrison at Fort Ander- 
son, on the north bank of the river, and by gun- 
boats, and finally repulsed. Many shells were 
thrown into the city, some of which tore up the 
ground occupied by the Third Regiment but a lit- 
tle time before as their camp. A flag of truce was 
sent asking the surrender of the city, but General 
Foster's answer was, ''If you want Newbern, come 
and take it." These assaults seemed to be more 
like ''feelers" of the Union strength than any seri- 
ous menace to Newbern. 

Various places were garrisoned and much picket 
duty done by the Third Regiment, besides the ser- 
vices already mentioned, which proved the fidelity 
of both officers and men, and the readiness of the 



4G HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

regiment to measure up at all times to the trusts 
committed to its keeping. 

Being ordered to Boston, Mass., the regiment left 
Newbern June 11, 1863. As they marched from 
their camp to the place of taking train and boat, 
the}^ were escorted by the One Hundred and Fifty- 
eighth New York Volunteers, preceded by the band 
of the Forty-ninth Massachusetts Regiment, Gen- 
eral Foster and Colonel Jourdan honoring the col- 
umn by a standing review. The Forty-fifth and 
Forty-first Massachusetts Regiments were in line 
on the other side of the Trent River, and cheered 
us with music and voice on our homeward journey. 
Seven companies went by rail to Morehead and em- 
barked on the steamer S. R. Spanieling. Three 
companies with the sick went on board the steamer 
Tillie. at Newbern, and sailed by the way of Roa- 
noake Sound. The voyage for the most part was 
rough and most of the officers were seasick until we- 
rounded the shores of Cape Cod, when the sea be- 
came smooth, and new life was imparted to all. 

Landing in Boston we received a very enthusiastic 
reception by her citizens and were escorted to the 
Common by the Forty-fourth Massachusetts Rifle 
Club. The Governor being absent, Adjutant-Gen- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 4/ 

eral Scliouler reviewed the column from the State 
House steps, after which the regiment marched to 
Beach Street barracks and partook of a collation. 
At one p. M. the regiment took the cars for Camp 
Joe Hooker, but being furloughed on the train and 
ordered to report in camp on the 22d, each man 
tiirnod his face toward the old home and the dear 
ones he had left there when he went to serve his 
country. 

June 22d the regiment reported at camp, where it 
remained until the 26th and was mustered out of 
the service by Capt. J. K. Lawrence, being dismissed 
by a complimentary and affecting speech from Col- 
onel Richmond. The men dispersed quietly, main- 
taining their excellent character and discipline to 
the last. Many of these men showed their patriot- 
ism by re-enlisting, some going the third and fourth 
time. 

During the campaign the regiment was trans- 
ported by steamer and railroad more than tw^o thou- 
sand miles, and marched more than four hundred 
miles over the swampy roads of North Carolina, 
most of this being done during the inclement sea- 
son. It bivouacked upon the ground without shel- 
ter when the water froze in canteens, and also 



48 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

marched when the thermometer ranged at one hun- 
dred and twelve degrees in the shade. During the 
most of the time more than two hundred men were 
furnished for extra duty, as mechanics, and quite a 
number were detailed as overseers of contrabands 
and other duties of a governmental nature. The 
regiment which left home with a roster of one thou- 
sand and fifteen men returned with nine hundred 
and twenty-seven. 

"Oh Life! Oh Death! Oh World! Oh Time! 
Oh Grave, where all things flow! 
'Tis yours to make our lot sublime, 
With your great weight of woe. 

Through sharpest anguish hearts may wring, 

Though bosoms torn may be; 
Yet suffering is a holy thing. 

Without it, what were we!" 




Col. SILAS P. RICHMOND. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 49 



CHAPTER III. 

Historical Kecord of the Field and Non-Commis- 
sioNED Staff Officers of the Third Regiment^ 
Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

Col. Silas P. Richmond. 

Silas Peirce Richmond^ son of Isaac and Lu- 
cinda (Peirce) Richmond, was born in Freetown, 
June 19, 1831, on the Richmond homestead, which 
has been owned in the family continuously since 
1775. His grandfather, Samuel Richmond, was a 
soldier in the War of the Revolution, and his father, 
Isaac Richmond, was a soldier in the War of 1812- 
15. Silas P. Richmond was educated in the public 
schools of Freetown and at Peirce Academy, Mid- 
dleboro. 

He was engaged in farming and lumber business 
early in life. He was the first man to enlist in Com- 
pany G, Third Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer 
Militia, in May, 1850. He was appointed corporal 
in April, 1851 ; commissioned fourth lieutenant of 
same company in August, 1851; third lieutenant in 

4 



50 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

August, 1853; first lieutenant in May, 1854; cap- 
tain in May, 1855; major and inspector, Second Bri- 
gade, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, July 29, 
1856. He was in Kansas in 1858-9, and served with 
John Brown in repelling the "Border Ruffians" and 
was badly wounded in the knee at the battle near 
Lawrence, Kansas. He returned to Massachusetts 
and was appointed captain and aid-de-camp, Sec- 
ond Brigade, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, Sept. 
15, 1859, and in that capacity responded to the call 
of the "Minute Men," April 15, 1861, serving at For- 
tress Monroe and Hampton, Virginia, and taking 
part in the battle of Big Bethel, June 10, 1861. At 
the end of the campaign he returned to Massachu- 
setts and was honorably discharged. On the 8th 
of May, 1862, he was commissioned lieutenant-col- 
onel. Third Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Mi- 
litia, and as such responded to the call to re-enforce 
the Army of the Potomac at the time of General 
Bank's retreat in the Shenandoah Valley. In July, 
1862, he was ordered by Governor Andrew to reor- 
ganize and recruit the Third Regiment, Massachu- 
setts Volunteer Militia, to the maximum for service 
in the field. He completed that work and the regi- 
ment was mustered into the United States service, 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. .^)1 

one thousand and forty strong, Sept. 15, 1862. He 
was commissioned colonel of the Third Regiment 
Oct. 7, 1862, and, on Oct. 22, 1862, he proceeded with 
the regiment by steamer to Newbern, North Caro- 
lina. During that campaign he participated in the 
battles of Kinston, Whitehall, Goldsboro, Deep 
Gully, Blount's Creek, and in repelling the bom- 
bardment of Newbern. During a part of that time 
he commanded a brigade. At the end of this term 
of service he returned to Massachusetts. On the 
28th of September, 1863, he was commissioned col- 
onel of the Fifty-eighth Regiment, Massachusetts 
Volunteers, and proceeded to recruit that regiment. 
On Nov. 21, 1863, he was appointed superintendent 
of recruiting in Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, Nan- 
tucket, and Dukes counties, and as such continued 
the recruiting of the Fifty-eighth Regiment, until 
it was ordered to join the Army of the Potomac, 
April 28, 1864; but as the Fifty-eighth had only 
eight companies at that time, he could not be mus- 
tered into the United States service as colonel of it, 
and so resigned. On July 19, 1864, he was ap- 
pointed assistant provost marshal of the Depart- 
ment of the South, with the rank of colonel, and 
served as such at Beaufort, North Carolina, Hilton 



52 HISTORY OP THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Head, Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South 
Carolina. He was on the first steamer that reached 
Savannah when it was taken, and on the first 
steamer that landed at Charleston when that city 
was captured. He was honorabh' mustered out of 
service in September, 1865. 

He engaged in the lumber and grain business in 
Indiana and Michigan in 1867-9, and lost a nice 
property by fire in Michigan in 1869. He returned 
to Massachusetts in 1870. Colonel Richmond has 
been a justice of peace for more than forty years, 
and is also a notary public. He was for ten years 
chairman of the board of selectmen of Freetown. As 
auditor in 1854 he prepared the first printed report 
ever made of the finances of Freetown. He has also 
served as assessor, town clerk, school committee, 
and overseer of the poor of Freetown. He served 
eighteen years as moderator at annual town meet- 
ings. He served two terms as United States census 
taker, and two terms as state census taker. He was 
chairman of the trustees of the First Christian 
Church in Assonet for several years. He was a rep- 
resentative in the legislature from the sixth Bristol 
district in 1892, and served as chairman of the taxa- 
tion committee. He was a delegate to the National 



-'O0 



LiEUT-CoL. JAMES BARTON. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 53 

Republican Convention in 1892 ; a turnkey in Mas- 
sachusetts State Prison, 1871-9; deputy keeper in 
the Bristol County House of Correction, 1879-82; 
general traveling agent for the C. C. G. Co., 1882- 
89; president of Bristol County Agricultural Soci- 
ety 1889-91; charter member of Post No. 1, Massa- 
chusetts G. A. R., and member of the Loyal Legion 
of the United States. He is a Mason and Knight 
Templar since 1865. On Jan. 1, 189(3, he was ap- 
pointed deputy sheriff and court crier of the Su- 
preme and Superior Courts in Bristol County, and 
now holds that position. His address is Richmond 
Road, Assonet, Mass. 

LiEUT.-CoL. James Barton. 

LiEUT.-CoL. James Barton came from a military 
family. Among his ancestors was Gen. William 
Barton, of Revolutionary fame, who captured the 
English General Prescott and his aid-de-camp in the 
town of Portsmouth, R. I., for which act Congress 
presented him with a beautiful sword as an ac- 
knowledgment of his hazardous and successful 
achievement. In his early years Colonel Barton re- 
sided in Newport, R. I., and was a member of the 
Newport Artillery, which was chartered in 1741. 



54 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

He accompanied this organization to Providence at 
the time of the Dorr War. In 1853 he removed to 
New Bedford and carried on the business of a ma- 
rine blacksmith, and this he continued after as well 
as before the war. The breaking out of the war in 
1861 found him holding the position of first lieuten- 
ant in the New Bedford Guards (minute men), af- 
terwards Company E, Third Regiment, Massachu- 
setts Volunteer Militia. With this company he 
served twice, first as first lieutenant of the com- 
pany, and second as lieutenant-colonel of the regi- 
ment of which the company made a part, and served 
with the regiment through its campaign in North 
Carolina. He was a good, conscientious officer, 
faithfully performing every duty, and always in his 
place on battalion drill, on the march, and in battle. 
He was one of the earliest members of William Lo- 
gan Rodman Post, No. 1, G. A. R., New Bedford, 
Mass. He died March 5, 1887. 

Maj. John Morrissey. 

Major Morrissey was forty-five years of age 
T, hen he entered the service of his country in the 
Third Regiment. He was a native of Plymouth, 




Majok JOHN MORRESSEY. 



54 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

He accompanied this organization to Providence at 
the time of the Dorr War. In 1853 he removed to 
New Bedford and carried on the business of a ma- 
rine blacksmith, and this he continued after as well 
as before the war. The breaking out of the war in 
1861 found him holding the position of first lieuten- 
ant in the New Bedford Guards (minute men), af- 
terwards Company E, Third Regiment, Massachu- 
setts Volunteer Militia. With this company he 
served twice, first as first lieutenant of the com- 
pany, and second as lieutenant-colonel of the regi- 
ment of which the company made a part, and served 
with the regiment through its campaign in North 
Carolina. He was a good, conscientious officer, 
faithfully performing every duty, and always in his 
place on battalion drill, on the march, and in battle. 
He was one of the earliest members of William Lo- 
gan Rodman Post, No. 1, G. A. R., New Bedford, 
Mass. He died March 5, 1887. 

Maj. John Morrissey. 

Major Morrissey was forty-five years of age 
T, hen he entered the service of his country in the 
Third Regiment. He was a native of Plymouth, 




Major JOHN MORRESSEY. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 



55 



where he resided at the time of his commission. 
His position as sergeant-at-arms in the State House, 
Boston, shows that he w^ent to war for pure patri- 
otic principles. He was well liked by all the regi- 
ment, and never failed to do his duty on drill, on 
the march, and in camp. After the war he was 
given his former position, which office he filled ac- 
ceptably until his death. He died in his own town, 
beloved and highly respected by all who knew him. 
His force of character was more in good acts than 
in many words. 

Adjt. Lucian L. Perkins. 

Adjutant Perkins was born in Plympton, Mass., 
July 1, 1835. At the age of eighteen he joined Com- 
pany H, Third Regiment of Plympton Rifles. He 
served in different positions in this company, and 
at the time of President Lincoln's call for seventy- 
five thousand troops he was first lieutenant. He 
went to Fortress Monroe in command of his com- 
pany, and was there elected captain. He served 
through the three months' service and was dis- 
charged at the expiration of enlistment. 

He served as adjutant of the Third Regiment 



56 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

nine months' service, and was discharged at the ex- 
piration of the same. He will ever be remembered 
as the soldier, the gentleman, and the officer, who 
faithfully performed every duty assigned to him. 
On dress parade and battalion drill he knew his 
place and filled it to the satisfaction of every officer 
and man. 

After the close of the war, he, with his brother 
Charles A. S. Perkins, went to Newbern, N. C, pur- 
chased several acres of land there, and was engaged 
successfully in the cotton business at the corner of 
Broad and Middle Streets. 

He died in Newbern, N. C, in October, 18G4, of 
yellow fever, and his remains were afterwards 
brought to Plympton for burial. 

Quartermaster Bethuel Penniman. 

Bethuel Penniman was commissioned Oct. 10, 
1862, being forty-three years old and a resident of 
New Bedford. He was a successful business man, 
and because he was such was commissioned to look 
after and care for the supplies of the regiment. He 
remained with the regiment and was mustered June 
26, 1863. 




Anj'r. LUCIAN L. PERKINS. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 57 

After the war he was active in mining, manufac- 
tures, and real estate business. Of his own life he 
says, "There has been nothing eventful in my life," 
and yet at eighty-six, we find him hale and hearty 
and ready to beat the boys in a good, profitable, 
straight bargain. 

His welcome was always cordial, especially to 
any member of the Third Regiment. He repre- 
sented New Bedford in the legislature, and served 
one term on the Board of Aldermen in 1862. He 
was also a member of the New Bedford Protecting 
Society, and of the organization of firemen, and was 
for five years attached to the old hand engine. Vet- 
eran, No. 1. He was an attendant and member of 
the Unitarian Church and belonged to the Wam- 
sutta Club. He was a charter member of Post No. 
190 G. A. R., and a member of the Loyal Legion. 

He visited Washington, D. C, and witnessed the 
inaugural ceremonies of President Roosevelt. On 
returning to his home in New Bedford he was taken 
sick and died April 15, 1905, being eighty-seven 
years old. 



68 history of the third massachusetts 

Surgeon Alfred Augustus Stocker. 

Alfred Stocker was forty-tliree years of age when 
commissioned and a resident of Cambridge. He 
graduated at Harvard University with the degree of 
M. D. in the class of 1853. In 1861 he assisted in 
raising the Twelfth Regiment, Massachusetts Vol- 
unteer Militia. He was nominated by Colonel Web- 
ster major-surgeon, but unavoidable circumstances 
compelled him to decline. By request of Governor 
Andrew in May, 1862, he went to the front in Vir- 
ginia, and joined the "Army of the Potomac." Ar- 
riving at the White House on the Pamunkey River 
he was placed in charge of a division of the great 
field hospital then established there. On the break- 
ing up of the hospital he was assigned to the Thirty- 
first Pennsylvania as acting surgeon, July 20th to 
October 1st, passing through the whole Peninsula 
campaign. He w^as at South Mountain and Antie- 
tam. He was commissioned surgeon of the Third 
Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, Oct. 16, 
1862, serving in North Carolina until mustered out 
with the regiment, and during the winter of 1863-4 
he was at Readville on the staff of General Pierce, 
serving as special inspector of recruits. Oct. 16, 




Surgeon ALFRED A. STOCKER. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 



59 



1863, he was commissioned major-surgeon of the 
Fifty-eighth Massachusetts Volunteer Veterans in 
the Ninth Army Corps with General Burnside. He 
was with General Grant from the Wilderness to 
Petersburg, Va. On account of physical debility 
contracted in the service, he resigned Aug. 1, 1864, 
and was honorably discharged. He has now retired 
from professional practice on account of age and 
growing disability and resides in Cambridge, Mass. 

AssT. Surgeon Woodbridge E. Howes. 

WooDBRiDGE K. How^Es was commissioucd Oct. 21, 
1862, being forty-five years old and residing in Mat- 
tapoisett. He was in the service of the United States 
from Nov. 13, 1862, and with the regiment until it 
was mustered out. He practiced professionally in 
Hanover until his death, and served on the school 
committee of Hanover. He was a member of the 
Joseph Wilder Post, No. 83, G. A. R., and at one 
time commander; member of North River Lodge, 
I. O. of O. F., holding various offices, and censor for 
several years of the Massachusetts Medical Society. 
He died in Hanover, Feb. 4, 1898, and was buried in 
the cemetery of that town. He left one son, Clar- 



(50 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

ence L. Howes, M. D., practicing in Hanover, and 
one daughter, Mary W., wife of J. W. Beal, archi 
tect in Hanover. 

Chaplain Charles Andrew Snow. 

Chaplain Snow was thirty-three years of age 
when commissioned, and resided in Fall River. He 
was appointed chaplain Oct. 10, 1862 ; commissioned 
October 16th, and sworn into The United States 
service October 22d. He was on duty with the regi- 
ment until it was mustered out. Since that time he 
had been in professional service as pastor of 
churches in Fall River, Providence, R. I., South Ab- 
ington (now Whitman), New Bedford, and West 
Harwich. In 1898 he retired from full ministerial 
service on account of ill-health. He is the author 
of many miscellaneous papers, essays, sermons, im- 
portant historical sketches, etc. He was a life 
member of the Old Colony Historical Society. He 
died in Taunton, Nov. 28, 1903. 




Chaplain Rev. CHARLES A. SNOW. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 61 

NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF, 
Sergt.-Maj. Joseph E. Nye. 

Joseph E. Nye was commissioned at the age of 
twenty-four, while residing in New Bedford. He 
was promoted from Company E, May 29, 1863, vice 
Robbing having been discharged to enable him to 
accept a lieutenancy in the Heavy Artillery. Ser- 
geant-Major Nye was a most faithful officer, and 
performed his duty to the entire satisfaction of his 
superior officers. He was always on time and al- 
ways kept good time when on dress parade and when 
marching in review. 

After the war he was engaged in the liveiy busi- 
ness in Fall River, and died there about twelve years 
ago. 

Quartermaster Sergt. Theodore A. Barton. 

Quartermaster Sergeant Barton was twenty- 
one years old when commissioned and a resident of 
New Bedford. He w^as the youngest son of Lieut.- 
Col. James and Mary Barton, and came from a re- 
nowned military family. He was born in 1842 and 
received a private and public school education. His 
parents moved from Newport to New Bedford when 



62 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

young Barton was eleven years old. He was a mem- 
ber of the High School in New Bedford, and grad- 
uated from the same near the beginning of the war. 
He enlisted in the Third Regiment and was ap- 
pointed quartermaster-sergeant, in which office he 
served during the nine months' campaign in North 
Carolina, and was mustered out with the regiment. 
He re-enlisted in the Fifty-eighth Regiment and was 
appointed quartermaster with the rank of first lieu- 
tenant. He was at one time the youngest regimen- 
tal quartermaster (and one of the best) in the Army 
of the Potomac. He served faithfully to the close 
of the war and was mustered out with his regiment. 
Soon after the war he took up his residence in 
Providence and engaged in the hardware business 
with Freeman P. Little, forming the firm of Little 
& Barton. The governor of Rhode Island selected 
him as one of the staff officers with the rank of col- 
onel, in which office he served with honor, and was 
distinguished for his soldierly bearing. Subse- 
quently he removed to Ashton and became book- 
keeper in one of the Goddard's mills. In 1868 he 
entered the employ of the Gorham Company and 
was their confidential clerk and bookkeeper, remain- 
ing in that position until failing health compelled 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 63 

liim to take a long rest. When the new State House 
was being constructed he was chosen assistant to 
E. K. Glezen, secretary of the commission, and 
when it was completed and a new commission 
formed he was elected its secretary, in which office 
he remained until his death, Jan. 24, 1905. He was 
prominent in G. A. R. and Sons of Veterans circles 
and was department commander of Rhode Island 
in 1886. In 1894 he was elected senior vice-com- 
mander-in-chief of the national body of Sons of Vet- 
erans, and was the first man to receive that honor 
fruin Rhode Island. A widow and daughter sur- 
vive him, residing in their beautiful home in Provi- 
dence. 

Commissary Sergt. Arthur Hooper. 

Commissary Sergt. Arthur Hooper was born in 
Bridgewater, May 18, 1843, and was nineteen years 
old when he enlisted in Company K, Third Regi- 
ment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, for nine 
months. He was promoted to regimental commis- 
sary sergeant, Oct. 28, 1862, and discharged with 
the regiment June 26, 1863. He re-enlisted Dec. 11, 
1863, in Company A, Fifty-eighth Massachusetts 
Third Veteran Regiment for three years, and was 



04 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

detailed regimental commissary sergeant. The reg- 
iment left Keadville, Mass., April 28, 1864, and was 
assigned to the First Brigade, Second Division, 
Ninth Army Corps, Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside com- 
manding. Sergeant Hooper was with the regiment 
in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, 
North Anna River, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Wel- 
den Railroad, and Poplar Grove Church. He was 
furloughed Dec. 11, 1864, and was ordered to report 
to the commissary department of the United States 
General Hospital at Readville, Mass. He was mus- 
tered out June 13, 1865. 

He lived in Bridgewater until June, 1882, when 
he went to work as salesman for Carter & Company, 
paper dealers in Boston. He was elected to the leg- 
islature from the districts of Bridgewater and East 
Bridgewater in 1880. He has been secretary of the 
Fifty -eighth Massachusetts Regimental Association 
since 1888. He joined the G. A. R. in 1868, and for 
the past four years has been quartermaster of E. V>\ 
Kinsley Post, Boston. He was the compiler of a 
history of Bridgewater during the Rebellion, which 
was published in 1880, a work that reflects honor on 
the author and is of great value to the town. His 
place of business is No. 100 Federal Street, Boston, 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 65 

where he is a clerk and director of the firm, re- 
spected, trusted, and honored. 

Hospital Steward Eugene Whittemore. 

Hospital Steward Eugene Whittemore was 
commissioned at the age of twenty and resided in 
Boston. He served with the regiment and was mus- 
tered out with the same. He is now letter carrier 
in South Boston. 

Sergt.-Maj. Edward L. Bobbins. 

Sergt.-Maj. Edward L. Bobbins was twenty-seven 
years of age when commissioned, and a resident of 
Plymouth. He was discharged May 29, 1863, to en- 
able him to accept a lieutenancy in the heavy artil- 
lery. He was a good, faithful officer, and enjoyed 
the good-will of all the officers and men in the regi- 
ment. He now resides in Wollaston, Mass, (Lin- 
coln Avenue). 

5 



66 HISTORY OF TEIE TMIRH MASSACEIUSETTS 



CHAPTER IV. 

Company A, Third Reuiiniext, Massachusetts Vol- 
unteer Mn.iTiA. 

[Writtkn by Cokporai. John G. Gammons.] 

The early history of this company is of such im- 
portance and interest as to claim more than a pass- 
ing notice. 

Company A, known as Halifax Light Infantry, 
was organized in 1792 when George Washington was 
President of the United States and John Hancock 
Governor of Massachusetts. It was one of the first 
companies in the State to receive its charter from 
Governor Hancock, and therefore takes rank as one 
of the oldest among the militia companies in the 
State at that time. 

It was well armed, equipped and drilled and was 
in active service in the war with England in 1812-14, 
being on duty at Boston, Mass., where for faithful 
service rendered, it received the thanks of Governor 
Hancock and the commendation of the citizens of 
Boston. 

It was commanded by Capt. Asa Thompson of 




Caft. JOHN W. MARBLE. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 67 

Halifax, a ^' mighty man of valor " of gigantic pro- 
portions, being six feet seven inches in normal con- 
dition, and eight feet tall with his captain's hat on. 
On parade and at musters this company attracted 
attention, not only by the Saul-like appearance of 
its captain, but also by the large black bearskin caps 
worn by its oflScers and men. Tradition says that 
when Captain Thompson marched his company 
across South Boston bridge throngs of men, women 
and children would collect to see '' the giant " and 
his men, and not a few would tremble with fear that 
the bridge would not be able to support the captain 
and his great company. 

When President Lincoln issued his first proclama- 
tion for troops. Company A (as minute men) re- 
ported for duty April 16, 1861, being commanded by 
Capt. Joseph Harlow of Halifax, whose height was 
six feet two inches. This zealous and patriotic offi- 
cer rode all night through the towns in which the 
members of the company resided, summoning them 
to meet on Boston Common the next day, by order 
of Governor John A. Andrew. This midnight ride 
has been fittingly compared to that of Paul Revere. 

Company A was assigned to the Third Regiment, 
Massachusetts Volunteers, three months' men. Col. 



68 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

David S. Wardrop comiiiandiiig, and was ordered to 
Virginia, where it did its full share in destroying 
Gosport Navy Yard. It afterward served there 
under Major-General Butler and was doing guard 
duty when the slaves coming into our lines were de- 
clared " contraband of war " by that officer. 

Sept. 18, 1862, Company A, having united with 
Company G, of Assonet, went into camp at Lake- 
ville, Mass., known as Camp Joe Hooker. John W. 
Marble, of Assonet, receiving eighty-seven votes, 
was declared elected captain of the company ; 
Charles P. Lyon of Halifax was elected first lieu- 
tenant, and Nathaniel Morton of the same town was 
elected second lieutenant ; each of these officers re- 
ceiving the same number of votes as Captain Marble. 
Never was there a more democratic election and 
never were men better pleased with their officers. 

Captain Marble proved a kind-hearted man, car- 
ing for his men and giving them his best in military 
drill, discipline, clothing and rations. He also kept 
an eye on his men when on the march and in battle. 
He was never known to fall out on the march, or to 
be taken suddenly sick on the eve of a battle, or ride 
in an ambulance on the long and weary forced 
marches. His men had confidence in him and were 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 69 

always ready to obey his commands without asking 
questions ; and, although not a graduate of West 
Point, no battalion or brigade movement ever puz- 
zled him to know where to place his company, either 
on drill or in the evolution of field movements. 

Lieutenant Lyon was not only a good officer, he 
was a good man. No day was so hot or stormy, and 
no night was so dark or cold, that he did not fulfill 
his duty beyond the letter of the law, whether that 
duty was in camp, on picket, or on the march. His 
interest in the company is reciprocated by " The Old 
Boys ■' to this day, and will continue as long as one 
of the company is left to tell of war events and our 
reunions are characterized by fraternal greeting 
rather than " paying off old scores." 

Lieutenant Morton had, and still continues to 
have, a large place in the esteem of the company. 
He was always ready to serve when and where his 
service was wanted and needed. He was the gentle- 
man, the officer, the friend of every man in the com- 
pany. Always at his post of duty, on the march, 
everywhere ; and in everything he proved himself 
worthy of the confidence of his superiors, equals, 
and inferiors. In battle he had no fear of all the 
rebels '' this side of perdition." 



70 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Like the commissioned officers, the non-commis- 
sioned officers were men of worth and usefulness. 
No company could boast of a better orderly sergeant 
than Company A. For proficiency in drill, prompt- 
ness at guard mount and discipline, Orderly Sergt. 
James H. Hathaway stood number one. Danger to 
him was a thing unknown. Duty before pleasure, 
and obedience to his superior officers was his slogan. 

Sergt. William A. Lyon was always ready to go 
when and where ordered and do as ordered. He 
was a well drilled man, a true soldier, beloved and 
honored by the whole company. 

Sergt. Stephen Hathaway was known as " The 
man of money," yet he never allowed money to be- 
come his stepping stone to preferment. He was as 
ready as any one to do his duty with the company, 
regardless of toil, deprivation or danger, when not 
on detached duty. 

Sergt. Morton V. Bonney could outlift any man in 
camp. 1 once saw him stand astride a full barrel 
of pork which others could not lift, and, taking it 
by the chimbs, raise it clear from the ground, say- 
ing, ''There, I have lifted your darned old barrel of 
I)ork.'' In drill he Avas accurate, and on dress pa- 
rade the perfect soldier; and, like Israel's second 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 71 

king, lie '' behaved so wisely " that every one re- 
f^pected and loved him. 

Ordnance Sergt. Frederick Thayer was not only a 
master of his trade, but prompt in every detail of 
his work. Every w^eapon was always ready when 
wanted for guard mount, dress parade or for the 
march, and not one of Company A was ever sent to 
quarters because of a rusty or dirty gun. 

Corporals Uriel Haskins, Ephraim Haskins, 
Thomas Gurney, James E. Arnold, Soranus Thomp- 
son, David B. Hill, and John G. Gammons, were al- 
Avays ready and faithful in the discharge of evei^ 
duty assigned to them. 

Asa Kilbreth could blow '' The Flowers of Michi- 
gan" through a fife as no other musician in the reg- 
iment, if in the world. His time was so perfect that 
every one could keep step when marching in review. 
John G. Bonney was as good with his drum as 
'^Uncle'' Kilbreth with his fife, and when these two 
musicians sounded reveille every man was ready for 
roll call. The whole company was made up of ex- 
ceptionally good and true men, " soldiers from the 
word go." 

Company A could truthfully boast of more mu- 
sical talent than any other company in the regiment. 



72 HISTORY OF THK THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Singing could always be had for the asking, with- 
out money and without price. Stringed instru- 
ments were in evidence. A double quartette was 
always ready and willing to entertain and enliven 
wliat otherwise would have been dull hours of camp 
life. Miller Briggs was a knight of the bow, and 
he could make the "old campaign fiddle" talk, sing, 
weep or shout, as occasion required or his fancy dic- 
tated. Al. Ashley was always ready to make a 
speech, play a game of euchre, go on guard or go 
into a fight. Pearly Haven was born with a thirst 
that water had no power to quench. Pearly was 
always weak when near anything strong. 

Edward H. Rennis went to "his own place" when 
he went into the cook-house. His boiled dinners 
and his baked beans remain as things joyfully to be 
remembered. Few were the cooks who could deal 
out better rations than Rennis. 

Die Mason, while a good company clerk, would 
stand before a heated stove and burn the whole 
front of his uniform, absolutely oblivious of what 
was going on. In the battle of Goldsboro, he filled 
his musket with cartridges from breech to muzzle 
and returned to Newbern with it full. When ap- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 



73 



prised of the fact, he simply said, "I marched two 
hundred miles to snap at the rebels." 

Corp. Thomas Gurney was a most painstak- 
ing and accurate diarian. Benjamin H. Bearse 
could roast a fowl or a pig to perfection. John 
Boyce was so squint-eyed that he could see ''the 
rebels" on either flank and in front of him. Henry 
Cook, notwithstanding he had lost his voice, would 
not ask to be discharged, wiiispering, ''If I cannot 
speak with my voice, I can speak to the rebels with 
my musket." John Drayton could provide fun for 
the whole company. Herculese Dean was the staid 
gentleman; Timothy French the man of affairs. 
Bradford G. Hathaway was known as the "big man 
with curly hair." Daniel L. Hathaway would not 
shake hands with a rebel prisoner, wiio, recognizing 
him as a fellow workman in the Live Oak Swamps, 
extended his hand. Dan declared he never would 

shake hands with a d d rebel. 

Shubael G. Howland will be remembered as the 
man who carried six rebel muskets seventy miles on 
his shoulder and sent them home to make sure that 
the rebels would never get them again. 

Aaron D. Hathaway could bring a mule team out 
of the mud when every one else had given up in de- 



74 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

spair. He performed this feat by pushing the 
mules' heads under the mud and keeping them there 
until they were glad to jump out to breathe. 

Alamanzer Osborne had queer notions about sar- 
dines. 

Isaiah Stetson could scent a battle afar off. 

James H. Petty, while never perfect in the man- 
ual of arms on dress parade, in battle could shoot 
as straight as any one. He was never known to 
fall out on the march because of sore feet and was 
in his glory when in a battle. 

Jacob P. Hill was known as "the tall man ;" Wil- 
liam T. Marston as the man who grew so corpu- 
lent that Uncle Sam had no uniform that would fit 
him. Francis Briggs, when "in trim," could out- 
run any deer and yell louder than an Ute Indian. 
Horatio N. Hood never got stuck in the mud with 
his team. 

The first night in Camp Joe Hooker was a 
sv\ eater to many, a conundrum to a few, and a go- 
as-you-please to all. Every one kept good-natured 
for the most pessimistic knew that all things that 
have a beginning have an end ; and so it came to 
])ass that, before reveille, the silence was broken 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. i i) 

only by the tiemendous snoring of the tired merry- 
makers. 

The first day in camp was one of laborious duty. 
How many tons of stones were buried by Company 
A no one will ever know, for it is safe to say no one 
will ever resurrect them; but when the job was com- 
pleted Company A had as level and as smooth a 
street as any company in camp. Some amusing 
things occurred on the guard line. Some of the of- 
ficers detailed for guard duty would give one set of 
orders and some another set, and it was hard for 
the guards to tell which was right and w^hich was 
wrong. Some of the guards would not be relieved 
at ''arms aport" but would persist in standing at 
a ''charge." One such was left to enjoy his ''charge 
bayonet" until the next relief : the tv/o hours taught 
him a lesson which he never forgot. Occasionally 
some of the guards would fix their muskets firmly 
in the ground, and, putting coat and hat on the 
same, go off on a "lark," returning in time to come 
in with the relief; but such things Avere not consid- 
ered as a grave offense, since we were not mustered 
into service. 

In a few days an inspecting officer came and we 
were mustered into the service of Uncle Sam. Soon 



7G HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

we were iinifornied and began the role of soldiers. 
It took us less time to get used to our rations than 
to get used to our beds, which at that time con- 
sisted of the soft side of a hemlock board, quite dif- 
ferent from those beds we had left at our homes. 

One afternoon just after recall the boys took um- 
brage at something the sutler had said or done, 
and, magic-like, the two regiments in camp gath- 
ered with the avowed purpose of demolishing his 
])lace of business. I waited with bated breath to 
see what a few officers would do with two thousand 
enraged men. Just at the critical moment I saw 
the stalwart form of Colonel Richmond standing 
on a box, and with a voice like that '^of many 
waters" and of mighty thunders, he proclaimed, 
*There will be a roll call in each company's bar- 
racks within five minutes and every one not present 
will be marked." Company A was in line in less 
than two minutes. The roll was called and every 
member answered "Here." That little incident has 
always remained with me as an exhibition of the 
ready wit and good sense of our beloved Col. S. P. 
Richmond. 

Our stay in camp was of short duration for we 
wci'o wanted for active service and were ordered to 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 77 

prepare for the South Land. The morning of our 
last day in camp brought many of the wives, moth- 
ers, fathers, sisters, and sweethearts to say the last 
good-bye to the boys who were to defend the Old 
Flag on southern battlefields. Alas! that some of 
the boys who marched away that day, suppressing 
their tears in a manly way, were never again to 
look on the dear faces which tearfully said good- 
bye, silently praying God that they might return 
again to the old home and to their loved ones. 

At Lakeville station we took the train for Bos- 
ton, where we received an ovation through the city. 
The right wing of the regiment was assigned to the 
Mississippi, the left wing went on board the Mer- 
rimac. The bell rang, the whistle sounded, and w^e 
found ourselves going down the river, our destina- 
tion being Newbern, N. C. With the exception of 
nearly running down two schooners and breaking 
our foreyard arm into three pieces in contact with 
a vessel going through the "Narrows," our voyage 
was uneventful. Company A did her full share of 
duty, notwithstanding that the rough water in Bos- 
ton Bay gave to many of the boys all the business 
they could manage on their own private account. 

Our ship, after rounding Cape Cod, anchored in 



<0 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Mnovard Haven. Seeing our consort pass in the 
early dawn of the following morning, we prepared 
to follow, and, just as the steam was applied, a 
hirge schooner came across our bow. The engines 
were reversed and we barely escaped a collision. 
Captain Baxter hailed with this sarcastic remark, 
*'l believe some captains would run all night for 
the sake of running across a ship's bow and being 
run down." When we overtook the Merrimac we 
were hailed with, "How did you break your fore- 
yard arm?" and Captain Baxter replied, "Carrying 
sail, sir." 

Cur run to North Carolina was over a sea as 
smooth as a mill-pond. The voyage could have 
been made in safety in a canoe; but when within 
five miles of the harbor, we encountered a southeast 
gale, which drove thousands of porpoises into the 
harbor. Our pilot, either through ignorance or 
carelessness, ran our ship upon the bar. I was 
standing beside the Cai)tain Avhen the thing hap- 
pened, and Captain Baxter, quietly drawing his re- 
volver and placing it close to the pilot's head, so- 
berly remarked : "I have a good mind to put a lit- 
tle light into your stupid rebel brain." I need not 
tell you that that pilot trembled like a whipped 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 79 

dog. With the rising tide and the assistance of a 
tug, we were soon off the bar; and, as we headed for 
the wharf, I heard Captain Baxter say, "I did not 
care half as much for getting stuck on that bar, as 
I do for having the captain of the Merrimac get 
alongside the wharf before the Mississippi, for I 
shall never hear the last of it." At Morehead City 
we took train for Newbern and camped on the banks 
of the Neuse River. Here for the first time, we 
were drilled in the evolutions of the brigade, pre- 
paratory to going on the march and into battle. 

After a few days of camp life. Company A and 
Company B were detailed for picket duty at New- 
port Barracks, one mile distant from Newport 
City, which consisted of three houses, two barns 
and a five-by-ten store. Newport City was the trad- 
ing mart for that section, and many times have I 
seen a barrel of pitch sold for thirty dollars and a 
barrel of tar sold for twenty dollars. 

Our camp consisted of two companies of infan- 
try, a battery of four guns and a platoon of cavalry. 
A detail from Company A went every day to a post 
called Havelock, and the boys from there kept the 
company well supplied with fresh beef and pork. 
One night one of Company A being on picket. 



80 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

thought he saw some one stealthily approaching the 
post. ^'Who goes there?" rang out on the still 
night. Receiving no answer, he fired. Alas! his 
aim was only too sure, for, on inspection, there in 
the throes of death lay a large black cow. I be- 
lieve that was the only rebel that Company A ever 
roasted and ate. 

Some of Company A will never forget David B. 
Hill and the hive of bees and honey he brought into 
camp one night. The following morning, when his 
namesake came to inquire after his missing hive, 
Dave met him on the parade ground, and, passing 
himself off as commandant of the camp, solemnly 
declared that he had no men who would be guilty 
of stealing; but said he: "If I find that one of my 
command has done so mean an act, I will have the 
offender punished severely." This satisfied Mr. 
Hill, and he was never seen in camp after such pos- 
itive assurance of the honesty of the soldiers. 

Our first inarch taught Company A the superior- 
ity of army shoes over fashionable boots to march 
in, for the first ten miles found many of the men, 
as well as the officers, with their boots slung over 
their shoulders, their feet without stockings, and 
their heels raw to the quick. The lesson was never 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 81 

forgotten. At Peltier's Mills the fortunate ones 
luxuriated on a supper of bread and bacon. The 
less fortunate were allowed to pass the night in a 
hog field, where the fleas were thicker than the stars 
in the ^'Milky Way." "Pollocksville Express'' 
marked another episode in our marching history, 
and we learned that being a soldier did not mean 
"flowery beds of ease." Some of these marches 
were attended with rain, not like the gentle rains 
at the North, but dow^npours, mud ankle-deep, bag- 
gage wagons with the wheel-hubs rolling on the sur- 
face, horses balking, teamers saying everything but 
their prayers. But we were being hardened for 
more active and laborious service. 

Our first real march began Dec. 11, 1862, at six 
A. M. In a dense fog our line was formed and soon 
the march began. There were twelve thousand, 
all told, infantry, artillery, and cavalry. These, 
with one hundred and sixty wagons occupied four 
miles, for we were moving in single column. Just 
at sunset our skirmishers captured one captain and 
two privates. This we believed to be a good omen, 
and some of the boys were heard to say, "We shall 
capture every rebel we find." At eleven p. m. we 



82 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

stacked arms and laid down near them for the 
night; and no one had to resort to opiates to sleep. 
The next morning a sorer and more jaded set of 
men could not be found than Company A. Every 
belt, every strap had chafed to the quick, and water 
was not to be had to bathe the inflamed parts. But 
for all this, Company A did not flinch nor cry, ''I 
have seen all the marching I want to see ; I want to 
go home." 

The second day Company A, with the other com- 
panies of the Third, was detailed as baggage guard, 
and vigilantly did we perform our duty from early 
dawn to twelve at night, when we again halted and 
were allowed to sleep "on our arms." We were get- 
ting into that part of the country where our enemy 
might pounce on us at any moment; and we soon 
learned that it was wiser to build no fires, than to 
illuminate the sky and thus show "the rebs" our 
position. As a little recompense for our hard 
march the previous day, we were allowed to kill 
quite a number of fat hogs; and in this. Company 
A was always ready and willing to do her full share. 

I recall a little ruse I played on a soldier of a 
New York regiment. Finding a dead hog still 
warm, with its hams and shoulders gone, I deter- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 83 

mined to secure a piece to roast; but, to mj cha- 
grin, I found that I had left my knife in my haver- 
sack. Then came to me the old conundrum: If 
you had a bottle of water, how would you get the 
water without drawing the cork or breaking the 
bottle? and, knov^ing the answer, I said, 'Tush in 
the cork." Then taking the initiative, I called to 
a soldier, saying, ^'I have a good fat hog here, and 
if you will loan me your knife to cut out a roast, I 
will give you all you want." This he gladly did, 
so I got my pork and it made a fine roast. 

Sunday, December 14th, at twelve o'clock, near 
Kinston, the Third Kegiment went into her first 
real fight in North Carolina. Being the second 
regiment in the First Brigade, we had not long to 
wait before being ordered to take position on the 
opposite side of a swamp through which was a 
straight road with water a foot deep. The rebel 
batteries on the opposite side made it dangerous for 
passers that way; but through we went in good or- 
der. Then the rebels, learning that the Third with 
Company A were after them, limbered their guns 
and ran for their lives. Before going into battle, 
we saw the wounded brought past us, and further 
on we saw many a brave fellow lying dead at our 



8-1- HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

feet; but each soldier was careful to step aside and 
not tread on our dead comrades. Our forces cap- 
tured five hundred prisoners, nine guns which the 
rebels had spiked, and saved the beautiful and 
costly bridge over the Neuse River which the rebels 
had set on fire. The adjutant-general reports two 
hundred and ten killed and wounded; but to know, 
one had to see the dead on the field and in the wood, 
and the wounded in the old Baptist Church. Some 
were so severely wounded that they begged their 
ofiicers to end their misery by a shot from a re- 
volver. As Company A was marching past the pris- 
oners, one was heard to say, "Oh I here goes the 
Third Massachusetts Regiment. They are all 
drafted men." This was too much for Corp. Uriel 
Haskins, and, turning like an enraged lion, he said 
to the man, "Say that again and I will knock every 
tooth in your lying jaw down 3'our throat.-' The 
fellow did not repeat his words, for had he, Urial 
v>'Ould have been as good as his word. What a 
scene the Common presented the following morn- 
ing. The nice rail fence had strangely -disap- 
peared. Beds, crockery, and even ladies' silk 
dresses were strewed over the ground ; and I sus- 
pect that manv a fov.i that went "crowino- to bed" 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 85 



never saw the sun rise. The morning saw us again 
on the march. We were as glad to be gone as the 
people were to have us go ; our blood was up and we 
were ready to go into another battle. 

Our second battle at Whitehall was an artillery 
duel, forty battery guns being in action; and, al- 
though the Third did not take position on the field, 
the shot and shell from the rebel batteries were 
quite as thick as we cared to have them for com- 
fort. Yet not a man of Company A was seen to 
dodge or try to gain cover. During the battle Col- 
onel Richmond sat on his horse as calm and straight 
as if on inspection. I saw General Foster walking 
along the line of fire with the reins of his horse on 
his arm occasionally giving orders to the officers 
commanding the batteries. I saw the dead and 
wounded horses lying on the ground. I saw one 
batteryman load his gun with canister, and, aiming 
it at a tree in which were thirty sharpshooters do- 
ing deadly work, bring them down as apples fall to 
the ground; and they didn't come down because 
they wanted to. But few of our soldiers were killed 
or wounded. 

Again we proceeded on our march, and, after 
marching ten miles, we halted at six p. m. and pre- 



86 HISTORY OP THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

pared for the night. We were allowed to bnild 
fires, make coffee and enjoy a good warm supper. 
To reach and cnt communications between Wil- 
mington and Goldsboro was our objective point, so 
that the rebels could not send re-enforcements, while 
General Dix attacked the rebels at Blackwater. 

December 16th we resumed our march, reaching 
Everettsville about twelve o'clock, where we en- 
countered quite a strong picket force. These men 
escaping to the w^oods our batteries shelled the 
same. The Third Regiment was ordered to take po- 
sition near the railroad and on a line parallel with 
it. Here we remained until an iron-clad car with 
a battery was demolished and the bridge across the 
river was fired. At one time I counted nine shells 
fusing within two hundred feet of Company A. yet 
no one sought shelter behind the many great stumps 
of trees v/here we were lying (according to orders) 
on the ground. The main army retiring, our bri- 
gade was ordered to remain on the field to make 
sure that no rebels would harrass our rear. 

After the demolition of the iron-clad, the Third 
Regiment was ordered to stack arms, overturn the 
railroad track and set the ties on fire. This was so 
expeditiously done that in half an hour the ties were 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 87 

on fire as far as one could see. A mill also did not 
escape the flames. During this time General Ma- 
gruder, coming from Wilmington on the cars with 
ten thousand men and finding the railroad on fire, 
disembarked his men and batteries, and marched 
them to the scene of action, on a road parallel to 
the railroad and on the opposite side of it. We did 
not know this then as well as we did one hour later. 
The Third Regiment, having done as ordered, 
marched to the rear just over the brow of the rising 
ground. Hardly had we gained this position when 
we were told that the rebels were advancing with a 
flag of truce, and a battalion of cavalry went to re- 
ceive it. When near the railroad, which was six 
feet high at this point, a brigade of rebel infantry 
fired a volley without hitting either man or horse. 
The cavalry returned the fire and then returned to 
cover. 

At this time I was standing near Colonel Rich- 
mond and Captain Belger. The rebel brigade lost 
no time in getting over the railroad, and with 
charged bayonets they came up the slope on a dou- 
ble-quick. "Action front!" shouted Captain Bel- 
ger, "Double canister! Load!" Never did soldiers 
present better alignment than that rebel brigade; 



88 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

but when they saw that Belger's battery was sup- 
ported by infantry, they made the fatal mistake of 
making a right half wheel. "Aim! fire!" com- 
manded Captain Belger, when the rebel bayonets 
were not more than two hundred yards from his 
battery. As the battery sent forth its deadly con- 
tents great gaps were made in the rebel ranks. 
Three times the colors were shot down and three 
times they were raised; but the fourth time they 
remained on the ground for want of any one to 
raise them. Some fifty of the men who had taken 
refuge behind a stack of fodder were seryed with 
grape and solid shot. It took but a moment to send 
both stack and men flying towards the woods ; fifty 
men becoming entangled by a fence were treated to 
spherical case, which bursting in their midst killed 
many of them. 

During all this time the rebel batteries on the op- 
posite side of the railroad were raining shot and 
shell at us, the most of which passed harmlessly 
over our heads, enough, however, falling short to 
give us a sprinkling of "the sacred soiT' of the 
South. We were ordered to lie down, and this or- 
der was so effectively obeyed that no daylight could 
penetrate between us and "Mother Earth." Look- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 89 

ing to the left, I saw three other brigades approach- 
ing our left center. These were about one hundred 
yards in the rear of each other. The Twenty-sev- 
enth Kegiment lay as quiet as death until the first 
brigade showed breast high, when rising they 
poured such a withering volley into the rebel ranks 
that those who could turned and ran, reaching the 
second brigade ; that turned and ran ; and these two 
brigades reaching the third brigade, that turned 
and ran. Neither Belger's nor a thirty-two- 
pounder brass battery of six guns allowed them to 
run without helping them to run faster. Darkness 
drawing its mantle over the scene we were ordered 
to march back to the main army. The rebels left 
their dead and dying on the field. 

The brook over which we had come dry shod was 
now a roaring torrent, and we, for the first time, 
saw the trap the rebels had set for us by opening 
the gate at the mill-pond. In their charge they no 
doubt expected to drive us into the brook, and there 
slaughter us at their own sweet will and pleasure; 
but we had punished them so severely that they 
thought it best to let the Yankees alone. But 
through the brook we had to go; and those who 
were sure-footed went, with the water up to their 



90 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

arm-pits. These, both officers and men, did heroic 
service in rescuing those who were carried down 
with the raging current. With all our cartridges 
wet and our clothing frozen, we had to stand and 
patiently wait for the whole brigade to cross the 
flood before we were ordered to march, and were 
only too glad when told that we would have to 
march several miles before we would bivouac for 
the night. Being ordered to build no fires, we 
stretched ourselves on the frozen ground, slept like 
tired, healthy children and arose at daylight, our 
clothes steaming, and commenced the weary home- 
ward march. 

No one but a soldier can tell how mean it makes 
one feel to be in an enemy's country without ammu- 
nition to defend oneself with should an attack be 
made; but we neither saw nor heard any rebels on 
the homeward march. On this march Company A 
was three days without food. Toward evening of 
the third day, the writer, leaving the marching col- 
umn, marched straight for a sweet potato mound, 
and, taking all he could carry, hastened to his com- 
pany. This was no easy matter as the column was 
marching nearly as fast as himself. But fortune 
favoring the brave, he regained his place at dark. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 91 

Nearly all the potatoes were divided among the 
boys, and I can say that the best thing I ever tasted 
in my life was a sweet potato, skin, dirt and all. 
After dark I secured two hogs' heads, and these 
with the sweet potatoes made an excellent stew for 
several of the men, including the commissioned of- 
ficers of Company A. 

Nothing special occurred on our return march. 
The footsore boys left at Kinston were ready to re- 
sume the homeward march. The last night of the 
march we slept on the ground where the water In 
the ditches made ice one inch thick. As often as 
we awoke shivering with the cold, we would up and 
run until bodily heat would allow us to sleep again. 
We arrived in Newbern at 12.30, Dec. 21, 1862. Not 
long after our return. Company A with another 
company of the Third Regiment, were ordered on 
picket duty at Deep Gully, where the rebels had 
made an attack. Here we stayed two weeks, when 
we were relieved by the other companies sent from 
Newbern. 

On Tuesday, Jan. 27, 1863, our regiment was 
moved from our first place of encampment to Fort 
Totten. Here we were protected by an embank- 
ment twelve feet high and forty feet wide at the 



92 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

base. Our marches from this place to various 
points, especially that to Swansboro over almost 
impassible roads, will never be forgotten by Com- 
pany A. When, in the language of Colonel Rich- 
mond, "eight men make a company," Company A 
was always sure to exceed that number, notwith- 
standing that the mud was so deep that we made 
but five miles in ten hours. 

Wednesday, April Sth, we crossed the Neuse 
Hiver and commenced our march to Blount's Creek, 
where we encountered quite a body of the enemy; 
but after an artillery demonstration for one hour, 
both armies began a retreat at the same time, and 
neither knew why the other retreated, unless it be 
that the rebels caught sight of General Spinola 
(our commanding general) with his high red shirt 
collar, and, mistaking him for Sitting Bull, imag- 
ined retreat the better part of valor. I remember 
his saying to Colonel Richmond, "Colonel, your men 
stand as straight in battle as old veterans of the 
regular army." In this battle Captain Belger had 
his horse shot from under him and he himself was 
badly wounded; but as he was being led past the 
Third, he said, "Give it to them, colonel, we will pay 
them for this." 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. ^^ 

While the march to Blount's Creek was a hard 
one, the going to Core Creek was as easy as a train 
of cars could make it. Here we stayed two days 
and took two hundred rebel prisoners. Two inci- 
dents still remain fresh in my memory: one was, 
that when going out, some break about the engine 
caused a stop and the engineer, finding it beyond 
his power to mend it, asked if there was any man 
on the cars who knew how to fix it up. Hardly 
were the words out of his mouth when a man 
stepped forward saying, ''I guess I can fix this ma- 
chine. I helped make it." The other incident was 
that of a very young soldier, in fact, the youngest 
soldier I ever saw in the army. Speaking to me 
about the killed, he innocently said, "I think I killed 
one of them, for the hole in his head was made by a 
very small bullet, and you see I have a musket 
smaller than the others." 

Our last march was to Batchelder's Creek, where 
the rebels attacked our men, and Colonel Jones, 
commanding the post, was killed. May 23, 1863, at 
eight p. M.^ we commenced our march and when 
within a safe distance, learning that the rebels 
were two brigades strong with a battery of six guns, 
we halted for the night. The following morning 



94 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Company A was sent one mile in advance of the 
regiment, and the writer with six men was sent one 
mile in advance of the company. But at nine a. m., 
word being received that the rebels learning of our 
coming had politely retired, we were ordered to join 
our regiment. As I w^as sitting beside Captain 
Marble, Captain Hawes and Lieutenant Mason be- 
ing present, Corp. Uriel Haskins came up, and, 
saluting Captain Marble, asked permission to go 
foraging, saying, " We have nothing to eat." " No," 
said Captain Marble with a frown, " Not one of 
you shall go. I brought a minister with me and 
when I want any stealing done I will send him. It 
is no harm for a minister to steal." 

The return march to Newbern was exceedingly 
hot and the road w^as so dusty that at times it 
seemed impossible to breathe. We reached our 
camp at one p. m., a tired, dust-covered and sweat- 
stained set of soldiers. 

June 10, 1863, was our last day on southern soil. 
Several of the non-commissioned oflScers being on 
the sick list, I was ordered to act as orderly ser- 
geant in detailing and marching the last detail from 
Company A to guard mount in North Carolina. 
And so I have this honor. The next morning found 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 95 

US on the train for Morehead City, where seven com- 
panies embarked on the steamer 8. R. SpaiilcUng. 
The other three companies went on board the 
steamer Tilley at Newbern. 

Our passage home was for the most part of the voy- 
age rough, so much so that a majority of both offi- 
cers and men were seasick. One morning the adju- 
tant of the regiment came to me and asked, " Will 
you take the guard to-day ? " remarking at the same 
time, " I know you have done double duty, but the 
fact is, about all the officers are so seasick that they 
cannot take care of themselves, much less take 
charge of the guard." My reply was, " Yes, adju- 
tant, I will do it." As I left Company A's quar- 
ters, I heard several saying, " Is there anything that 
Corporal Gamons cannot and will not do, when 
emergency so requires ? " and I remember answer- 
ing, " It is a pretty poor soldier who would not pre- 
fer to do double duty than to be seasick." 

How good the shores of Cape Cod looked to us ; 
even the sand on the tail-end of grand old Massa- 
chusetts looked far more glorious to us than all the 
magnolia swamps of North Carolina ; and the surf, 
as it broke on the beach, seemed to say, " This is the 
land of the free, the loyal, the brave North." 



96 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Tuesday, June 16, 1863, we ap^ain marched the 
streets of Boston with the glad consciousness of 
having done our duty as soldiers when our services 
were needed. We had proved ourselves worthy of 
the country of wiiich we were citizens, and of the 
Old Flag we had defended ; and of our record we 
were not a little proud. 

Our march through Boston was one continued 
ovation from the start to finish. Often we heard 
the people saying, "This is the Old Third Regiment ;" 
and from doors, balconies, and windows came the 
glad "Welcome home again to our brave Massachu- 
sets soldiers." Many times our ranks were broken 
by the hand-shaking of fathers, the embraces of 
mothers, and the kisses of sweethearts. And because 
the officers were equally served with the rank and 
file, no one said anything about perfect alignment 
or perfect marching. To be home again and see our 
own, who had come fifty miles to welcome home the 
war-stained boys, who had served nine months in 
Uncle Sam's army, correcting their mistaken and 
misled brothers, was more than anything else^ 
more than everything else. 

On all the marches, both trying and dangerous,, 
in battle, on picket and guard duty, Company A 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 97 

acted the part of brave, true and patriotic soldiers ; 
worthy the name of "sons of noble sires" and of the 
grand old State of Massachusetts ; and with the 
other companies of the Old Third Regiment, Massa- 
chusetts Volunteer Militia, takes its place on the 
roll of honor. I do not recall of one instance of a 
member of Company A being punished for disobedi- 
ence to orders, overstaying a pass, ''standing on a 
barrel," '' riding the wooden horse," or '" carrying 
dirt on their heads in a mess pan." Company A 
escaped all such punishment for two reasons ; first, 
because the men willed to be soldiers; and second, 
the officers knew how to use men. 

After the close of the war Company A continued 
its organization and was well uniformed, well offi- 
cered, and well drilled until July 6, 187G, when by 
order of Governor Rice, it was disbanded to reduce 
the expenses of the volunteer militia of the State, 
the six companies being reduced to two, those of 
Brockton and Plymouth remaining. 

Company A, which was usually full, has been com- 
manded since the close of the war by Capt. Cephus 
Washburn, of Halifax; Capt. Charles P. Lyon, of 
Halifax; Capt. Morton V. Bonney, of West Han- 

7 



98 HISTORY OF THE TH HID MASSACHUSETTS 

over; and Capt. (ieorge H. IJonney, of Kingston. 
These men are still alive and are honored and be- 
loved by all their fellow-citizens. 



A Corrected Roster of Company A, Living and Dead^ 
TO October 1, 1003. 

[The first figures indicate age at enlistment. As the whole company 
were Massachusetts men, the towns only will be mentioned. Mustered 
out June 26, 1863, will be considered the time, unless otherwise indicated. 
A star (*) before the name stands for service in the three months' regi- 
ment.] 

*JoHN W. Marble, Captain; Freetown; 36. For 
many years foreman of Anthony and Swift's 
Slaughter House, Assonet. Ex-member of Legisla- 
ture. A man of staunch qualities. Died June 18, 
1900. 

*Charles p. Lyon, First Lieutenant: Halifax; 
3(t. A great admirer of and worker for the inter- 
ests of Company A ; has held nearly every oflSce in 
the company from corporal to captain. He ren- 
dered such timely assistance to Captain Harlow in 
notifying the members of the company to report on 
Boston Common, that, notwithstanding the order 
was received at night, the following morning saw 
Halifax ^^Minute Men" on the early train armed 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 99 

and equipped, according to the call of the ''War Gov- 
ernor " and President Lincoln, with every man pre?i- 
ent. For years after the war he served as captain 
of the company. His town honored him and itself 
in sending him to the Legislature, where his voice 
and his vote was always on the right side. By 
trade a bootmaker, his work stood first-class. Born 
and always residing in Halifax, he has alwas en- 
joyed the confidence and good-will of his fellow- 
citizens ; and now in the sunshine of a grand and 
fui ly rounded out life, he awaits orders to the 
higher and better life, honored and loved by all his 
associates, including every member of Company A. 

*Nathaniel Morton^ Second Lieutenant; Hal- 
ifax; 21. The gentleman, the scholar, the officer, 
the soldier, "The modest man," who proudly wears 
the ''Minute Men's Medal," presented to him by the 
commonwealth for meritorious service. He partic- 
ipated in the burning of Gosport Navy Yard and 
assisted Captain Lyon in recruiting the company in 
1862. Has held all the higher offices in the towns 
of Halifax and Pembroke for the last twenty-seven 
years; prominent in probate business; honored and 
respected by his townsmen. He resides in Bryant- 



100 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

ville, Mass., where, with his accomplished wife, he 
cordially welcomes all his friends. 

*James H. Hathaway, First Sergeant; Free- 
town ; 25. Mustered out with regiment. For many 
years foreman in factory at Walpole, Mass. Em- 
ployee Consolidated Railroad. Resides at East 
Walpole, Mass. 

*WiLLiAM A. Lyon, Sergeant; Halifax; 25. Re- 
spected and beloved by the whole company. For 
several years an employe of the Old Colony Rail- 
road. Killed by the cars. A widow living. 

Stephen Hathaw^ay^ Sergeant; Freetown; 24. 
Died in Illinois. Widow, son, and daughter. 

*MoRTON V. Bonne Y^ Sergeant; Hanson; 21. A 
leading business man in his town. Ex-member of 
Legislature, trusted and honored by his fellows-citi- 
zens; an influential member of the Third Regiment 
Association. Resides at West Hanover, Mass. 

*Frederick Thayer^ Ordnance Sergeant; Free- 
town; 22. A boss w^orkman in Mason's Machine 
Shop, Taunton. In Soldiers Home, Togus, Maine. 

*Uriel Haskins, Corporal ; Freetown ; 19 ; tack- 
maker. Ex-member of City Government; honored 
bv all his associates. Resides in Taunton, Mass. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 101 

*Ephraim H. Haskins, Corporal ; Freetown ; 18. 
He enlisted in Fifty-eighth Massachusetts Infan- 
try; commissioned second lieutenant in same. 
Killed at battle of Weldon Railroad, Sept. 30, 1894. 
Widow and one daughter. 

Thomas Gurney, Corporal ; Hanson ; 28. He 
enlisted in the Fifty-eighth Massachusetts Volun- 
teers; mustered out at close of war. A successful 
merchant; member of school board. Past Master 
of Atlantic Lodge, A. F. & A. M. A man of sterling 
worth. 

James E. Arnold, Corporal; Berkley; 29. A 
good, faithful soldier, a zealous patriot. Nothing 
of his history since the war known. 

SoRANus Thompson^ Corporal; Hanson; 25. 
Died and was buried with G. A. R. honors at Brock- 
ton, Mass. Left a family. 

*William W. Hood^ Corporal; Hanson; 28. Dis- 
charged for disability, April 22, 1863. Boot and 
shoemaker. An honest and respected citizen. 
Member of Post No. 127, G. A. R. Has a family. 
Resides in Hanson, Mass. 

*David B. Hill, Corporal ; Freetown ; 26. A gen- 
ius, a good soldier, an aspirant for shoulder straps. 



102 HISTORY OF THE THIRD .MASSACHUSETTS 

Was a member of Company G, Freetown ''Minute 
Men/' Third Regiment, three months' men, and was 
corporal of the guard in Virginia, when the first 
three slaves coming into our lines w^ere declared 
''contraband of war" b}' Gen. Benjamin Butler. 

John G. Gammons, Corporal; Westport; 26. Re- 
cruiting officer for Fifty-eighth Regiment. Re-en- 
listed in Company F, Third Massachusetts Heavy 
Artillery. (Sergeant.) Commissioned second lieu- 
tenant in Fifty-eighth Regiment (never mustered). 
Commissioned second lieutenant in Eighteenth Un- 
attached Company Massachusetts Volunteers. Mus- 
tered out at close of war. Taught military school 
one year. Graduated from Taylor University, re- 
ceiving degree of Ph. D. Pastor of several Metho- 
dist Episcopal churches; president of several cor- 
porations; writer of local histories; pastor of Ar- 
nold's Mills Methodist P^piscopal Church. Resides 
at Arnold's Mills, R. I. 

*AsA KiLBRETH, Musician ; Pembroke; 62. A 
splendid musician; a great friend of all the hojs; 
never "fell out on the march." Respected by his 
townsmen. Died and buried at Pembroke, Mass. 
Left a widow and son. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 103 

*JoHN G. BoNNEY, Dniiimier ; Pembroke; 29. 
Punctual to duty. A favorite of the company, and 
highly respected by his fellow-citizens. Died at 
Pembroke, Mass. Left a widow and daughter. 

Horatio N. Hood^ Wagoner; Hanson; 30. Never 
got stuck in the mud; was proud of his team, using 
his horses with humanitarian consideration. Died 
at Greene, Maine, April 15, 1900. Buried in Maine. 
Left widow and four sons. 

Privates. 

Anthoney^ Nicholas B., Westport; 40. First 
officer of ship. A man of high moral character, a 
true soldier and a respected citizen. Died at West- 
]H>rt, Mass., 1868. Two daughters living. 

Ashley^ Albert B., Freetown; 24. A natural 
orator, with great magnetic powers. Shipped in 
United States Navy May, 1861. Served on United 
States Frigate Mississippi, Gulf Squadron, Lieu- 
tenant Dewey (now Rear Admiral), executive offi- 
cer. Participated in capture of New Orleans. Dis- 
charged from Navy, June, 1862. Enlisted in Com- 
pany A, Third Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. 
Mustered out with regiment. Re-enlisted. Orderly 
sergeant. Company B, Fourth Massachusetts Cav- 



104 FTISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

airy from August, 1868, to March, 1865. Commis- 
sioned lieutenant in Twenty-first United States Col- 
ored Troops, March, 1865. Mustered out May, 1866. 
Went West, 1869. Manager of several coal mines 
and coal companies for twenty-two years. Grand 
Lecturer, State of Illinois, for sixteen years. Owner 
and manager of Ashley Heights since 1892. A man 
of wealth and influence. Popular with the mystic 
orders. Post Office (Summers), Ashley Hights, 
Lake Huron, Mich. (Winters), La Grange, 111. 

Beal^ Bernard C, Hanson; 29. A man of noble 
character. Chairman of Selectmen. For many 
years quartermaster of Post No. 127, G. A. R. Far- 
mer and poultry raiser. 

Bearse, Benjamin H., Hanson; 40. A giant in 
stature, large-hearted, a favorite of all the com- 
pany, respected by all his fellow-citizens. Died at 
South Hanson, Feb. 12, 1903. Widow and son. 

Bonney, Allen F., Hanover; 42. A man of noble 
character. Died at West Hanover, July 5, 1885. 
Buried at Hanover. Widow and daughter. 

Bourne, Thomas W., Hanson; 28. An esteemed 
citizen. Farmer and road builder. Post Office, 
Poutn Hanson, Mass. 



VOTATNTEER MILITIA. 105 

BoYCE, John, Berkley; 42. A man of strong 
moral character. A pronounced Prohibitionist. Re- 
spected by his townsmen. Died at Berkley April 9, 
1893. Buried at Assonet, Mass. Several children 
living. 

Briggs, Francis G., Freetown; 25. A hustler. 
Lived in Assonet. Wife, two sons and two daugh- 
ters. A gentleman of leisure. Died in Assonet, July 
27, 1905, age, sixty-eight years. 

Briggs, Seth M., Hanson; 25. An excellent vio- 
linist. Printer, Town Auditor. A grand good fel- 
low, highly esteemed by his many friends. Member 
of T. L. Bonney Post, G. A. R. Resides at South 
Hanson, Mass. 

Broadbent, Samuel S., Westport; 18. A ready 
speaker. Member of G. A. R. Janitor of school 
building in New Bedford, Mass. Resides in New 
Bedford, Mass. 

Brooks, Thomas J., Westport; 39. A faithful 
soldier. Nothing of his history known since the 
close of the war. 

Burgess, Theophilus J., Rochester; 23. History 
since muster out unknown. 



106 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Chace^ Franklin J., Freetown; 18; Remembered 
as a faithful soldier. History since war unknown. 

Chipman, Sumner J., Freetow^n ; 21. Resides in 
Pelham, N. H. No family. 

CooK^ Henry, Hanson ; 34. A man of sound prin- 
ciples. Member of G. A. R. Retired. Post office, 
Plymouth, Mass. Has a family. 

Dean^ Hercules^ Berkley; 27. A gentleman and 
soldier. Strong temperance man. Respected by his 
many friends. Died Oct. 21, 1890. One daughter, 
postmistress, Assonet, Mass. 

Drayton, John^ Hanson; 40. An agreeable com- 
rade, a ready wit, full of mirthfulness. An esteemed 
citizen, beloved by a large circle of friends. Died 
at South Hanson May 11, 1898. Widow and chil- 
dren. 

Drew, George, 3d, Halifax; 21. Re-enlisted. 
Killed in battle. A good brave soldier. 

Duffee, George, Freetown; 21. A good honest 
man, a faithful soldier. Employed in Census Bu- 
reau, Washington. Resides in Washington, D. C. 

Foster^ Calvin, Pembroke; 37. Reported living 
at Pembroke. Has a familv. Remembered as a 



VOLUNTEER IMILITIA. 107 

faithful soldier, ready and willing to do every duty 
assigned him. 

French, Timothy E., Berkley; 34. A man of 
strong moral character with pronounced temper- 
ance principles. No storm was cold enough, no 
rain wet enough, no march so exhausting that cold 
water was not the most refresliing beverage for him. 
Died in Berkley, Mass., Dec. 7, 1899. 

*FuLLER^ Eldridge G., Hausou ; 41. A "good sol- 
dier." Died October, 1867. 

Fuller, Frederick E., Halifax; 18. Died in 
Newbern, N. C, Dec. 1, 1862. This being the first 
death in Company A and Fred being so young, it 
made a lasting impression on the company. We 
buried him under a tree near our camp. 

Hambley, Andrew T., Freetown ; 21. Died March 
10, 1892. 

Hathaway^ Aaron D., Freetown; 19. A success- 
ful lumber dealer in the west. Acquired wealth. 
Died in California in 1900. 

Hathaway, Andrew J., Freetown ; 21 . Died at 
Dighton, Mass., June 15, 1903. Widow, son, and 
daughter living. 

Hathaway^ Bradford G., Berkley; 39. For many 



108 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

years on the police force in Providence, R. I. A 
farmer and poultry fancier. Died in Berkley, 
March 30, 1887. 

Hathaway^ Daniel L., Berkley; 30. As hrave a 
soldier as ever fought in battle. Died in Taunton, 
Mass. Left several children. 

Hathaway^ Lynde, Freetown ; 43. A faithful, 
bold and true soldier. Died at Assonet, Mass., Jan. 
22, 1887. Sons and daughters living. 

*Haskell^ James H., Freetov/n ; 28. Died Sept. 
10, 1880. 

Haskell^ Otis^ Lakeville; 33. A soldier true to 
orders. Lives in Taunton, Mass. Several children 
living. 

*Haskins^ George H., Freetown ; 38. A good sol- 
dier; an honest farmer. Resides in Freetown, Mass. 

Haven, Perlby^ Halifax; 25. Farmer. Resides 
at Thomastown. Post office, Middleboro, Mass. 

Hayward, Luther W., Halifax; 23. Died at Hal- 
ifax, July 6, 1863. Buried at Hanson, Mass. Un- 
married. 

Hayward, Lysander W., Halifax; 18. A brave 
soldier, a trusted citizen. Farmer and coal dealer. 
Has a family. Post office, Halifax, Mass. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 109 

*HiLL, Jacob P., Hanson; 39. One of the '^Min- 
ute Men" of 1861, known in Company A as the 
''tall man on the right." A genial comrade and 
companion. Member of A. C. Monroe Post, No. 212, 
G. A. R. Died suddenly at his home in East Bridge- 
water, Aug. 9, 1903. Left a family. Buried with 
military honors at East Bridgewater, Mass. 

Holmes, Martin L., Halifax; 18. Boot and shoe- 
maker. An honored citizen, industrious and fru- 
gal. Has a wife. Post office, Rockland, Mass. 

HoRR^ Andrew J., Freetown; 26. Lives in East 
Freetown. Farmer. Widower. One daughter. 

Howland, Alonzo^ Hanover; 23. Boot and shoe- 
maker. Respected by his many friends. Member of 
Post 74, G. A. R. Post office, Rockland, Mass. Wife 
and four children. 

Howland, Shubael G. Freetown; 44. A man of 
strong will powers, of great endurance; respected 
by his townsmen. Died in 1901. A widow living. 

Kebn^ Thatcher^ Hanson; 23. He never disap- 
pointed his friends nor helped his enemies. A 
worthy citizen. Died at Abington, Mass., June 3, 
1868. Buried at Rockland, Mass. 

Lambert_, Francis M., Bridgewater; 24. Dis- 



110 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

chai'^ed for disability. May 27, 18(Kj. Died in Brock- 
ton, Mass., Nov. 6, 1864. 

Lambert^ Zaccheus, Bridgewater; .40. Dis- 
charged for disability, May 27, 18C)B. Died at 
Brockton, Mass., Nov. 1, 1882. 

*Marston, William T., Halifax; 27. Discharged 
for disability, May 27, 1863. A good, faithful sol- 
dier. Reported living in Bridgewater, Mass. 

Mason^ Darius B.. Pembroke; 26. Company 
clerk, mirthful and sunny, ready to go anywhere 
and do anything ordered to do. A good citizen. 
Died and buried in Whitman, Mass. Widow and 
son living. 

Murtaugh, Thomas W., Freetown; 24. A faith- 
ful and true soldier. Superintendent of the culi- 
nary department in Fall River Hospital. Resides 
in Fall River, Mass. Son and daughter. 

NiLES^ Truman E., Hanover; 35. A good soldier 
and honored citizen. Died in Middleboro, Ma?»s., 
Oct. 31, 1902. Widow and children living. 

Osborne^ Alamanzer, Bridgewater; 21. A faith- 
ful soldier, a respected citizen, a successful trader. 
Resides in Brockton, Mass. Member of Post No. 
13, G. A. R. Has a family. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. Ill 

Packard^ Horace F., Halifax; 20. A soldier 
"who needetli not to be ashamed." Resides in 
Brockton, Mass. 

Paine^ George A., Freetown; 28. A man of 
splendid habits, a true soldier. Died about 1873. 
Widow, son, and daughter living. 

Perry^ Marcus T., Pembroke; 32. Died in South 
Hanson, Oct. 24, 1894. Buried in Pembroke, Mass. 
Left widow and daughter. 

Peterson, Algeron A., Hanson; 30. Migrated 
west. Present history unknown. 

Petty^ James H., Westport; 52. A soldier who 
never feared to go into a battle and never fell out 
on the march. Died in Westport, Mass., Aug. 2, 
1893. Four sons and one daughter living. 

Phillips^ Samuel W., Berkley; 41. Never was 
known to shirk duty. Died in Taunton Insane Asy- 
lum, April 1, 1899. 

Porter^ Oliver C, Halifax; 35. A good all-round 
soldier. Died Feb. 18, 1873. Buried in Halifax, 
Mass. 

Record^ Charles, Berkley; 22. A faithful sol- 
dier. Veterinary Surgeon. Excellent character. 
Resides in Fall River, Mass. 



l^ti HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Rennis^ Edwin H., Freetown. A most excellent 
company cook, a brave man in battle^ a good citizen. 
Died in Dartmouth, Mass., about 1885. A widow 
living. 

Richmond^ Joseph S. W., Halifax; 18. Died — . 

Rounseville, Edwin S., Freetown; 24. A faith- 
ful soldier; a thrifty farmer. Resides in Freetown. 
Has a wife and daughter. 

Rounseville^ Simon D., Freetown ; 24. Died in 
Freetown on returning from the war, June 20, 1863. 
Buried with military honors. 

Sampson, Augustus M., Hanson; 36. A brave 
soldier. A clean cut temperance man and a highly 
respected citizen. A boot and shoemaker. 

SouLE^ Charles W., Halifax; 18. Died in Hospi- 
tal, Newbern, Dec. 2, 1862. Buried near our camp. 
Body sent home and buried in family cemetery. 

Spooner, Asa J., Freetown ; 30. Was mustered 
in, went home sick and never reported to the com- 
pany for duty. Lives in East Freetown, Mass. 

Stetson, Charles H., Hanson; 20. Discharged 
for disability, March 27, 1863. Superintendent of 
almshouse. Member of Post No. 127, G. A. R. Post 
office. South Hanson, Mass. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 113 

Stetson^ Isaiah, Hanson; 44. Died in Hanson, 
September, 1889. Left a family. 

*Stetson, William F., Hanson; 30. Discharged 
for disability, March 13, 1863. Dealer in staves, etc. 
Son and four daughters. Post office, West Hanson, 
Mass. 

Stowell, Richard P., New Bedford; 18. Lives 
in New Bedford, Mass. 

Studley, Judson^ Hanover ; 31. Farmer and poul- 
try raiser. An honored citizen. Has a family. 
Post office, West Hanover, Mass. 

Thayer^ Charles H., Kingston; 18. A good sol- 
dier. Believed to have died fifteen years ago. 

Thompson, James H., Kingston; 25. A good sol- 
dier and a good citizen. Died, leaving a family. 

Thompson, Morton, Halifax; 18. Teacher. Died 
in Halifax, Mass. Left a family. 

ToRREY, Leander, Hauovcr ; 24. Faithful to every 
duty, a true and staunch patriot, respected wher- 
ever known. Died at Rockland, Mass., April 8, 
1879. A widow, son, and daughter living at Brock- 
ton, Mass. 

Vinal, Joseph, Hanover; 37. Farmer. A good, 

8 



114 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

quiet citizen. Wife and children. Post office, West 
Hanson, Mass. 

Whitney^ Abel H., Hanover; 19. Died in West 
Hanover, July 19, 1863. Buried in Hanover. Un- 
married. 

Whitney, Charles T., Halifax; 27. Discharged 
for disability, March 4, 1863. Boot and shoemaker. 
A respected citizen. Has a family. Post office, Hal- 
ifax, Mass. 

Whitney, Oren T., Hanover; 28. Re-enlisted in 
Company E, First Battalion, Heavy Artillery. 
Mustered out at close of war. Farmer and wood 
dealer. Past Commander Post No. 83, G. A. R. 
Post office. West Hanover, Mass. 

Wilcox, George F., Freetown ; 20. As good a sol- 
dier as ever marched with a company. Died in 
Providence, R. I., February, 1897. Widow living. 

Wilcox, Marcenah B., Freetown; 18. A good 
soldier and a successful business man. Married. 
Lives in New York. 

*WiNSL0w, Benedict A., Freetown; 19. For 
many years ticket agent, Old Colony Railroad. 
Lighthouse keeper. Cook in City Hospital, Fall 
River, Mass. 

Wood, Cyrus, Halifax; 40. Died and was buried 
in Halifax. One son living. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 115 



CHAPTER V. 

Company B, Third Massachusetts Volunteer 
Militia. 

[WKITiEN BY SEIIOT. BENJAMIN S. ATWOOD.] 

This company was formed by consolidation of 
three companies of the Third Regiment Massachu- 
setts Volunteer Militia. Company K from Carver 
furnished captain and forty-six enlisted men; Com- 
pany B, of Plymouth, furnished first lieutenant and 
thirty-one enlisted men, and Company H, from 
Plympton, furnished second lieutenant and twenty- 
one enlisted men, making a total of one hundred 
and one. 

These three companies served under Col. David 
A. Wardrop the first three months of the war at 
Fortress Monroe and Hampton, Va. The Third 
Regiment was detailed immediately upon its arri- 
val at Fortress Monroe for service on United States 
gunboat Pawnee, which went up to Gosport Navy 
Yard, there helped destroy the Navy Yard, sink the 
ships and pulled the Cumherland out, when they re- 



116 HISTORY OP THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

turned to Hampton Roads. At that time the Third 
Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers were the 
only troops in the enemy's country, and were the 
first troops to invade the same, being at that time 
the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, not having 
been sworn into the United States service. 

Company B formed of the three companies afore- 
mentioned, reported for duty at Camp Joe Hooker 
and organized as follows: 

Capt. Thomas W. Griffith, from Co. K. 

First Lieut. Charles A. S. Perkins, from Co. B, 

Second Lieut. William S. Briggs, from Co. H. 

First Sergt. Asa Shaw, from Co. K. 

Second Sergt. Charles W. Griffith, from Co. K. 

Third Sergt. Job B. Oldham, from Co. B. 

Fourth Sergt. Benjamin S. Atwood, from Co. H. 

Fifth Sergt. James R. Bobbins, from Co. B. 

Corp. George A. Shaw, from Co. K. 

Corp. John M. Cobb, from Co. K. 

Corp. Hosea S. Bumpus, from Co. K. 

Corp. Andrew T. DeMerritt, from Co. K. 

Corp. Amasa M. Bartlett, from Co. B. 

Corp. Charles M. Perry, from Co. B. 

Corp. William S. White, from Co. H. 

Corp. Gideon Shurtleff, from Co. H. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 117 

Musician John Murdock, from Co. K. 
\Yagoner Lorenzo N. Shaw, from Co. K. 

The members of the company were recruited from 
seven different towns as follows: Carver, 30; Ply- 
mouth, 29 ; Middleboro, 11 ; Plympton, 10 ; Ware- 
ham, 12; Kochester, 3; Kingston, 5; East Bridge- 
water, 1. ji^i 

The ages of the company were as follows: 22, 
less than 20 years old; 29, from 20 to 24 years in- 
clusive; 16, from 25 to 29 years inclusive; 18, from 
30 to 34 years inclusive; 8, from 35 to 39 years in- 
clusive; 8, from 40 to 44 years inclusive. Average 
age, 26 years, 9 months. 



Corrected Eoster of Company B. 

[The first figures indicate age at ealistmeiit : tlie city or town, the place 
of enlistment.] 

Thomas B. Griffith, Captain. Born in Carver, 
May 17, 1823. When three months old his parents 
moved to Middleboro. When seventeen years old he 
went on a whaling voyage around Cape Horn. On 
his return he clerked for the Ellis Foundry Com- 
pany several years, and was postmaster at South 
Carver at the same time. In 1853 he with Jesse 



118 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Miu'dock and Matthias Ellis, formed a partnership 
called the Murdock Parlor Grate Company, in 
South Carver. He was interested in that business 
while he was in the service. He was connected with 
the Massachusetts militia for a number of years be- 
fore the war. Also after the war he served as ma- 
jor in the Third Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. 
His business after the war was in connection with 
the Murdock Parlor Grate Company. He was one 
of the pioneers in importing bananas from Jamaica. 
He held a large amount of the stock of the company 
at the time of his death. He was also interested in 
real estate at Onset, and one of the original cottage 
owners at Onset. He died in Roxbury, February, 
1897, and was placed in the tomb at South Carver. 
Charles A. S. Perkins^ First Lieutenant. Born 
in Plympton, Mass., June, 1828. When a young 
man he went to Plymouth and learned the printer's 
trade. During President Buchanan's administra- 
tion he served as postmaster in the town of Ply- 
mouth. He was for many years publisher and ed- 
itor of the Plymouth Rock, a publication quite ex- 
tensively circulated throughout Plymouth County. 
He was commissioned first lieutenant of Company 
B, and served with the regiment through its nine 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 119 

months' service. After being mustered out he to- 
gether with his brother Lucian, adjutant of the reg- 
iment, purchased a business enterprise at the cor- 
ner of Broad and Middle Streets, Newbern, N. C, 
vi^here he died of yellow fever, October, 1864. After- 
wards his remains were brought to Plymouth for 
burial. 

William S. Briggs^ Second Lieutenant. Born in 
Middleboro and was twenty-eight years old when 
he enlisted. At the time of the consolidation of the 
three companies he was second lieutenant of Com- 
pany H. He was quite an extensive dealer in fast 
horses before and at the time of his service. He 
continued the same after being mustered out. He 
located at Providence, K. I. He bought a large 
farm in Raynham, Mass., and died there Aug. 27, 
1897, at the age of seventy years. 

Asa Shaw, First Sergeant; 29. Born in Carver. 
Died April 25, 1865. 

Charles W. Griffith, Second Sergeant; 27. 
Born in Carver. Died Dec. 31, 1893. 

Job B. Oldham^ Third Sergeant ; 29. Served with 
Company B in the three months' service. Died in 
Plymouth, Feb. 8, 1879. Buried in Vine Hill Cem- 
etery. 



120 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Benjamin S. Atwood, Fourth Sergeant; 29. Born 
in Carver, June 25, 1840. He lived in Plympton at 
the time of the first call and went as private in 
Company H, Third Regiment Massachusetts Volun- 
teer Militia, Plympton Rifles. He served full term 
and was discharged with the regiment. Soon after 
his discharge he was commissioned first lieutenant 
in Company H. On consolidation of Company H 
with B and K he was appointed fourth sergeant; 
served his time as such and was mustered out with 
the regiment. After the close of the war he settled 
in Abington, and has been a manufacturer of 
wooden boxes in Whitman (formerly South Abing- 
ton) for many years, where he now resides. 

James H. Robbins, Fifth Sergeant; 31. Born in 
Plymouth. Died in Plymouth, Jan 1, 1901. Buried 
in Vine Hill Cemetery. 

George H. Shaw, Corporal; 28. "The Tall Cor- 
poral on the Right." Carver. Resides at 205 Cen- 
tre St., Middleboro. 

John M. Cobb, Corporal; 18. Born in Carver. 
Resides in Carver. 

HosEA C. BuMPUs, Corporal; 24. Born in Ware- 
ham. Died at Wareham. Buried in Centre Ceme- 
tery. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 



121 



Amasa M. Bartlett, Corporal; 23. Born in Ply- 
mouth. Has lived in the Old Colony since the war. 
Now lives in the vicinity of Boston. 

Andrew DeMerritt^ Corporal; 29. Born in Car- 
ver. Lives in Middleboro. 

Charles M. Perry, Corporal; 19. Born in Ply- 
mouth. A bright, smart young man. Died soon af- 
ter being mustered out. 

Gideon Shurtleff, Corporal ; 38. Born in Mid- 
dleboro. While in the service Gid's laugh was as 
o-ood as an extra ration of whiskey. After being 
mustered out he lived in Duxbury. Died in North 
Duxbury, Mass., in 1897; age, seventy-two years. 

William S. White, Corporal; 44. Born in 
Plympton. Served many years with the Massachu- 
setts militia before his enlistment. Died in Brock- 
ton, May 3, 1897, and was buried in Plympton. 

John Murdock, Musician; 38. Born in Carver. 
Died in Carver, Feb. 22, 1886. 

Lorenzo M. Shaw, Wagoner; 39. Born in Car- 
ver. Died in Carver in 1893. 



122 HISTORY OP THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Privates. 

Atwood, Stephen; 19. Born in Carver. Died in 
Middleboro, Sept. 15, 1899. 

Atwood^ Ebenezer E. ; 25. Born in Carver. Re- 
sides in Kingston. 

Atwood, Josiah W. ; 19. Born in Carver. Resides 
in Carver. 

BuMPus, Hiram W. ; 33. Born in Wareham, June 
24, 1829. He lived in Wareham a few years after 
being mustered out, and then went to Pennsylvania 
for about twenty years. He returned to Wareham, 
where he now lives. 

Bryant^ Charles E. ; 34. Born in Plympton, 
Oct. 27, 1827. Resides in Kingston. Farmer. 

Briggs, James W.; 35. Born in Middleboro. 
Moved to Plympton a few years after being mus- 
tered out. Died in Plympton, Jan. 2, 1901, age, 
seventy-four years. 

Barnes^ Benjamin F. ; 18. Born in Plymouth. 
Nurse in a hospital while in service. Lives at 450 
Cottage St., New Bedford. 

Bates, Nathaniel B. ; 24. Born in Carver. Died 
in Carver, Sept. 27, 1882. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 123 

Bates^ James H.; 18. Born in Carver. Died in 
Carver, July 15, 1865. 

Bryant^ Zeneas Frank ; 29. Born in Plympton. 
Acted as company clerk during the service. Died 
at Chelmsford about ten years ago. 

Bradford^ Ebenezer N. ; 25. Born in Plymouth. 
Killed on railroad at Cape Horn, Canada, Jan. 28^ 
1870. Buried at Burial Hill, Plymouth. 

Bartlett^ John N. ; 29. Lived in Wareham, 
where he died in 1894. Buried at Centre Cemetery. 

Bradford^ William H. ; 21. Born in Plympton. 
Died in Middleboro, June 5, 1892; age, fifty -two 
years. 

Burgess^ Ebenezer; 18. Born in Wareham. Re- 
sides in Wareham. 

Chandler^ John B. ; 32. Born in Carver. Killed 
in railroad accident at Brockton, May 12, 1896. 
Buried in Middleboro. 

Cobb, Charles S. ; 22. Born in Charlestown. Re- 
sides in Kingston. 

Chase^ Charles H. ; 34. Born in North Carver, 
April, 1828. Died in Boston, Oct. 4, 1897. 

Chapman^ John F. ; 22. After being mustered 



124 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

out of the nine months' service, he enlisted for one 
hundred days and was stationed at Marblehead. He 
was taken sick with consumption and was sent to 
the hospital at Rainsford, Boston, where he died 
November, 1866. 

Cobb, Sidney O. ; 18. Born in North Carver, Nov. 
13, 1844. He enlisted in September, 1862, as a pri- 
vate, served nine months and was mustered out 
with his regiment June 26, 1863. After being mus- 
tered out he lived in Carver and Plympton, and 
finally settled in South Abington, now Whitman. 
He served as constable and police officer for many 
years, and more than twenty years as deputy sher- 
iff of Plymouth County. He died Jan. 19, 1899, and 
was buried in Colebrook Cemetery, Whitman. 

Chandler_, William B.; 18. Born in Carver. Re- 
sides in Middleboro. 

Cobb, Allen ; 44. Born in Middleboro. Died in 
Middleboro, Aug. 10, 1890. 

Cobb, Joseph F. ; 26. Born in Carver. Died in 
Middleboro, Dec. 30, 1878. 

Cornell, William H. ; 18. Born in Carver. Dis- 
charged for disability, May 9, 1863. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 1-5 

DoTEN, George H. ; 30. Born in Plymouth. Died 
in Plymouth, Dec. 25, 1896. Buried in Vine Hill 
Cemetery. 

Donnelley, James; 31. Born in Kingston. Died 
in Kingston, Oct. 16, 1877. Buried in Vine Hill 
Cemetery, Plymouth. 

Darling, George; 34. Lived in Middleboro. Died 
Mar. 3, 1879. 

Dempsey, Robert M.; 23. Lived in Middleboro, 
where he was employed by the Murdock Parlor 
Grate Company. Died Dec. 22, 1893. 

Dunham, Henry A.; 30. Born in Carver. Re- 
sides in Middleboro. 

Dunham, Ellis D.; 21. Born in Carver. Died 
in Middleboro, Oct. 26, 1904. 

Ellis, Barzillai F.; 44. Lived in East Bridge- 
water. Died July 8, 1887. 

Gammons, Edward A.; 20. Born in Wareham, 
Jan. 15, 1842. After being mustered out of the ser- 
vice he went into the employ of the Wareham Bank 
and Wareham Savings Bank. In 1885 he was ap- 
pointed cashier of the Wareham Bank, now the 
National Bank of Wareham. He was also ap- 
pointed treasurer of the Wareham Savings Bank, 



126 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

which office he held until July, 1904, when he re- 
signed. He is still cashier of the Wareham Na- 
tional Bank. Ned is evidently as young as when he 
was out at Newbern, although he is a good deal 
larger, and hasn't as much hair on his head. He 
sticks to business so close that he can't get to the 
reunion. He is very much interested in anything 
that is for the benefit of the old soldiers. 

Gammons, John W.; 22. Born Feb. 12, 1840, at 
Wareham, Mass. After being mustered out of the 
service he worked at his trade as a nailer in differ- 
ent factories. He then went to sea, and took in sev- 
eral passages around Cape Horn. He was captain 
of several vessels. The last fifteen years of his life 
was spent in the coasting trade, making passages to 
the various ports on the Atlantic coast. Died and 
was buried at Centre Cemetery, Wareham. 

Griffin, Harvey B.; 22. Born in North Ply- 
mouth. Resides in North Cambridge. 

Hall, Sylvester S. ; 34. Born in Litchfield, Me. 
He died April 26, 1877, at Wareham. He first en- 
listed in Company G, Eighteenth Massachusetts In- 
fantry. He was discharged for disability, and re- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 127 

enlisted in Company B, Third Massachusetts In- 
fantry. 

Harlow, Martin L. ; 18. Plymouth. He served 
the term of his regiment and was mustered out in 
Lakeville, Mass., June 26, 1863. He lived in the dif- 
ferent towns around the Old Colony, and finally 
settled in Whitman. He was appointed postmas- 
ter by Grover Cleveland, and afterwards by Presi- 
dent McKinley. He died Aug. 12, 1899, and was 
buried in Carver. 

Holmes, Nathaniel; 27. Born in Plymouth. 
Died in Plymouth, Jan. 21, 1887. Buried in Oak 
Grove Cemetery. 

Harlow, Ivory W. ; 23. Born in Plymouth, 
where he now resides and works at his trade as a 
carpenter. 

Holmes, George H. ; 21. Middleboro. Born in 
Greenwich, R. I. Died in the Massachusetts Sol- 
diers Home at Chelsea, April 6, 1904. Buried at 
Wareham. 

Holmes, Samuel N. ; 19. Plymouth. Discharged 
for disability. May 4, 1863. Unknown. 

Holmes, Isaac S.; 43. Plymouth. Discharged 
for disability. May 27, 1863. Unknown. 



128 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Irving^ AYilliam ; 31. Born in Carver. Went 
West soon after being mustered out, where he died 
a number of years ago. 

Jenkins^, Benjamin S. ; 18. Born in Plymouth,, 
where he died Nov. 14, 1877. 

Johnson^ Charles W. ; 27. Resides in Plymouth, 
Mass. 

Jackson_, George F. ; 21. Born in Plymouth. 
Died in Plymouth, Sept. 11, 1884. Buried in Vine 
Hill Cemetery. 

Jefperson_, Salem; 44. Rochester. Born in 
Douglas, Mass., Sept. 16, 1805. Died Aug 4, 1893, 
in Rochester, Mass. Buried in East Rochester, 
Mass. 

LucAS^ Adoniram B. ; 24. Middleboro. Born in 
Carver. He served full time with the regiment and 
was mustered out of same. He has always lived 
in Plymouth County and still resides in Whitman. 

Leach^ Thomas M. ; 24. Born in Plympton. Died 
at Crescent Grove, Minn. 

Lobdell^ Isaac F. ; 27. Born in Plympton, where 
he died Nov. 9, 1876. 

Mange^ Winthrop H. ; 24. Born in Kingston, 
where he now resides. Occupation, a slitter. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 129 

Manter, John D. ; 36. Born in Wareham. Died 
in Newbern, N. C, Feb. 6, 1863. Buried in Centre 
Cemetery, Wareham. 

MuRDocK^ John; 36. Carver. 

Neal, James; 37. Born in Plymouth, where he 
died Jan. 15, 1885. Buried in Vine Hill Cemetery. 

Nickerson, Joseph S.; 18. Wareham. 

Oldham, John R.; 18. Born in Wareham. Af- 
ter being mustered out he enlisted in the Twenty- 
fourth Massachusetts. Killed at Petersburg, Va. 

Perkins, Henry F. ; 27. Born in Kingston. Died 
in Plympton, March 22, 1877. Buried in Soldiers 
Home Lot, Forest Dale Cemetery, Maiden. 

Place, Charles C. ; 33. Plymouth. 

Place, Isaac H.; 37. Born in Plymouth. Died 
at Plymouth, May, 1888. Buried at Vine Hill Cem- 
etery. 

Pierce, Moses W. ; 19. Born in Rochester. Lives 
in East Rochester, Mass. 

Penniman, Prince E. ; 33. Cook for the officers 
while in service. Lived in Middleboro. Died at On- 
set, Mass., Aug. 17, 1904. 

Paulding, James S.; 42. Born in Plymouth. 



130 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Died Oct. 19, 1880. Buried in Burial Hill, Ply- 
mouth. 

Raymond^ Thomas W. ; 21. Born in Rochester. 
Has lived recently in Brockton and Plympton. 

Ramsdell^ Cornelius. Plympton. Resides in 
Whitman. 

RoBBiNs, Herbert; 18. Born in Plymouth, where 
he now resides. 

Raymond, Samuel B. ; 34. Born in Plymouth. 
Died in Plymouth and was buried in Burial Hill. 

Sherman^ Leander L. Born in Plymouth, where 
he now resides. 

Spooner, William F. ; 19. Born in Plymouth. 
Died in Plymouth, Jan. 27, 1872. 

Smith, Thomas; 23. Born in Ireland. Died in 
Plymouth, Mar. 30, 1894. Buried in Vine Hill Cem- 
etery. 

Sherman, James E. ; 22. Born in Piym])ton. He 
resided in Plymouth after being mustered out, 
where he kept a store. He died May 31, 1897, and 
was buried at Oak Grove Cemetery. 

Sears, James F. ; 21. Died in Lynn. 

Shaw, Alonzo D. ; 21. Born in Carver. Died at 
Newbern, N. C, April IS, 1863. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 1^^ 

Shaw, Edward W. ; 24. Born in Carver. Died 
in Carver, Jan. 29, 1902. 

Shaw, Ezra; 21. Born in Middleboro. Died in 
Carver, Aug. 15, 1893. 

Shaw, Jesse M.; 18. Born in Carver. Resides 
in Fall River. 

Shaw, Nathaniel Jr.; 25. Born in Carver. Af- 
ter being mustered out be kept a grocery store in 
Plymouth. He died April 13, 1903. 

Stringer, Andrew; 19. Born in Carver, where 
he now resides. 

Sampson, John; 42. Born in Wareham. Died 
in 1880 and was buried in Centre Cemetery. 

Shurtliff, Benjamin, Jr.; 22. Born in Middle- 
boro. Unknown. 

TiLLSON, George W.; 18. Born in Carver. Died 
in Middleboro, May 13, 1895. 

Washburn, Philip M.; 23. Born in Kingston. 
Resides in Somerville. By occupation, a carpenter. 

Washburn, Joseph G.; 21. Born in Carver. Re- 
sides in Maine. 

Ward, Ansel B. ; 19. Born in Carver. After be- 
ing discharged from Company B he re-enlisted in 



132 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Company M, of the Fourth Massachusetts Cavalry, 
Feb. IG, 1864, and was taken prisoner Nov. 1, 1864, 
and confined in Libb}' Prison. He was paroled Mar. 
3, 1865. He died in Carver, November, 1878. 

Willis^ Marcus M. ; 34. Born in Middleboro. 
Unknown. 

Wrightington^ Henry; 23. Lived in Brockton. 
Died Dec. 8, 1892. 

Wright^ Edward S.; 40. Born in Plympton, 
where, he always lived. He served many years with 
the Massachusetts militia. He died in Plympton, 
May 19, 1901. 




Capt. ELIHU grant 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 



133 



CHAPTER VI. 

Company C, Third Regiment, Massachusetts 
Volunteer Militia. 

[Written by James B. Smith, Member of the Company.] 

The raising of Company C was unique, and in a 
sense highly sensational and dramatic. The Presi- 
dent's call for three hundred thousand men made it 
necessary for Fall River to furnish two hundred re- 
cruits; this in a manufacturing city of fifteen thou- 
sand with the cotton business booming was not an 
easy task. The question was asked, "How are we 
to persuade men to leave their lucrative employ- 
ment and become soldiers?" But the "Fathers of 
the City," rising to the occasion, called a mass meet- 
ing in City Hall, Aug. 13, 1862, where inspiring and 
patriotic speeches were made by several of the lead- 
ing men of the city, among whom was Elihu Grant. 

After the speech-making a call was made for vol- 
unteers. A great silence pervaded the meeting, and 
no one moved until a young man ascended the plat- 
form, and throwing his hat vehemently lipon the 



134 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

floor shouted, "I will volunteer to go to war." This 
so electrified the people that before the close of the 
meeting more than enough for one company had 
put their names on the roll of volunteers. The 
young man who said "I will volunteer to go to war" 
(according to the best authority at hand) was Wil- 
liam Deplitch, the first man wounded in battle. So 
high ran the fever of enlistment that another com- 
pany was started and raised in a few" days. These 
two companies are known in local and military his- 
tory as Companies C and D, Massachusetts Volun- 
teer Militia, Nine Months' Men. They were at- 
tached to the Third Regiment, and served with the 
same in North Carolina during its camx)aign. 

At the election of ofiicers for Company C (as was 
anticipated) Elihu Grant was elected captain, and, 
being a West Point graduate, he was eminently 
fitted for that position. Benjamin A. Shaw was 
elected first lieutenant, and Charles D. Copeland 
second lieutenant. The choice of ofiicers was well 
,made, and the company were pleased with their se- 
lection. Be it remembered that at this time the 
(governor of Massachusetts, John A. Andrews, in- 
stead of appointing the ofiicers left it to the com- 
pany to elect their own officers. Captain Grant was 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 185 

a kind-hearted, considerate man, with high ideas of 
military discipline; those men Vvho obeyed the let- 
ter and spirit of the law w^ere treated accordingly, 
and those who disobeyed were punished according 
to military law and usages. Captain Grant could 
not look with any degree of leniency on disobedi- 
ence to orders. He was the pronounced enemy of 
liquor drinking in any form or by any one; so the 
transgressors on these lines received condign pun- 
ishment. No doubt that the captain's zeal like 
David of old, sometimes ''eat him up;" but he was 
a true friend to every man in his company and 
sought their well being. No man of Company C 
could say that he did not have his full share of ra- 
tions in food and clothing. 

Lieutenants Shaw and Copeland were God's no- 
blemen. They were true and kind to the men, and 
were greatly beloved by both officers and men in the 
regiment. They were always in their places with 
tlie company on the march and in battle. They 
took a great interest in the company, visiting the 
sick in tent and hospital. 

The non-commissioned officers were a good set of 
fellows from the orderly sergeant to the eighth cor- 
poral. Indeed, the whole company was made up of 



136 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

good men who were ever ready to obey orders, to 
go anywhere and to do anything reasonable; but, 
like all other men, they liked a little fun when not 
on duty. I never knew one of them to shirk duty, 
or fall out just before going into battle. 

At a meeting for drill in Fall River on the 17th 
of September, 1862, an order was read for Company 
C to report for duty at (Jamp Joe Hooker, and the 
following day the company went into camp at Lake- 
yille, Mass., as a part of the Third Regiment. The 
company was assigned to a barrack on the extreme 
right of the regiment, and, like all the other com- 
panies coming into camp, they did their part to 
make the first night in camp memorable by songs 
and speech-making until early the next morning, 
when tired nature asserted her right and there was 
silence until reveille. 

September 23d, Company C with the other com- 
panies of the regiment, were mustered into the ser- 
vice of the United States for nine months. On Sat- 
urday, the 27th, the whole company was given a 
furlough until the following Monday, when it re- 
turned to camp. The men were then uniformed 
and at once commenced the various duties of camp 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. lo< 

life to prepare themselves for the more serious du- 
ties of soldiers on Southern soil. 

Company C, like all the other companies, was 
from time to time on special detached service ; with 
these exceptions the history of the company is the 
history of the regiment. 

At the expiration of the service Company C, with 
Company D, returned to Fall River, where they re- 
ceived an ovation, and all were glad that they had 
served their country in her time of need and were 
at home again with their friends. As the corrected 
history will indicate, quite a number re-enlisted 
for the second, and some for the third time. 



CORKECTED RoSTER OF COMPANY C. 

[The first figures indicate age at enlistment: the city and town, the 
place from which the recruits came, or are credited as belonging.] 

Note.— It should be remembered that several of the men from Westport 
were citizens of Fall River credited to the quota of Westport, the town of 
Westport paying them a bountj'. 

Elihu Grant, Captain; 42; Fall River. The 
preacher; the soldier; the man of affairs. A West- 
erner by birth, an Easterner by practice. He was 
first known in Fall River as a popular preacher, 
where he ablv served several churches. Later he 



138 IlISTOUY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

became one of the firm of Flint, Grant & Nichols, 
Tin, Crockery and Furniture Dealers. He gradu- 
ated from West Point and also fjom one of the 
Western colleges. He was a bookkeeper, agent for 
soldiers and sailors, probation officer for the Sec- 
ond District Court, a member of the School Board, 
and a member of the G. A. R. He was a Free Ma- 
son and belonged to several other mystic orders. 
He married Amanda Gifford, of Westport, for his 
first wife, and Mary Read, of the same town, for his 
second wife. His death occurred at New Bedford, 
March 13, 1897, at the ripe age of seventy-five years, 
and was caused by his being thrown from his car- 
riage at Westport Harbor, Mass. One daughter 
and three sons, fifteen grand and eight great grand- 
children survive him. 

Benjamin A. Shaw, First Lieutenant; 30; Fall 
River. He served his full term of enlistment and 
was mustered out with the regiment. He was com- 
missioned in the Second Heavy Artillery, went with 
the company to Portsmouth, Va., and died there 
July 26, 1864. His grandfather was in the Revolu- 
tionary War, and his father was a soldier in the 
War of 1812. 



VOLUNTEER M ILITIA. 



1B9 



Charles D. Copeland, Second Lieutenant; 33; 
Fall River. A patriotic soldier; a model officer. 
His son is a doctor of medicine and resides in 
Bridgewater, Mass. He has one son and two daugh- 
ters living. 

Alphonso Borden, First Sergeant; 30; Fall 
River. He was discharged for disability March 27, 
1863. He died in Fall River, being run over by a 
fire engine. A widow survives him, living on Rock 
Street, Fall River. 

Charles G. Remington, Sergeant; 25; Fall 
River. He was mustered out with the regiment, 
came home, and after a while went West. Nothing 
can be learned of his present residence. He is sup- 
j)osed to be living in the West. 

Isaac L. Hart, Sergeant; 41 ; Fall River. He was 
for years a prominent manufacturer. He was su- 
perintendent of Seaconnet Mills for many years. 
He died Dec. 20, 1886. Two sons survive him. 

J. E. Cunneene, Sergeant; 30; Fall River. A 
prominent manufacturer; superintendent of cotton 
mills in Fall River; a good soldier; a good citizen, 
and a good friend. 

Lester Lamson, Sergeant; 22; Fall River. He 



140 HISTORY OF THE THHtD MASSACHUSETTS 

resides in Paris, France, where he acts as an artist 
in portrait painting and practices medicine as oc- 
casion may require. 

E. F. Manchester^ Sergeant; 20; Wesfport. A 
soldier, a patriot, a true man in everything and 
everywhere. He was engaged in business in Fall 
River several years. He moved to Portsmouth, 
R. I., where he died after a lingering sickness. A 
v/idow and several children survive him. 

Thomas Wiseman^ Corporal ; 25 ; Fall River. He 
re-enlisted in Fifth Unattached Company, Heavy 
Artillery. He resides in Fall River and is janitor 
of the post oflSce and custom house in that city. 

Nathaniel Ford, Corporal; 23; Fall River. A 
contractor and builder. Resides in Fall River. 

Robert C. Negus, Corporal; 32; Fall River. Both 
before the War and after he followed a seafaring 
life in a whaling ship. He died in Fall River sev- 
eral years ago. 

Robert Fielden, Corporal; 26; Fall River. For 
several years he was engaged in the mill business. 
He retired from active business and lives in Swan- 
sea. 

Frederick A. Norton, Corporal ; 18 ; Fall River. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 141 

He resides in Fall River and is clerk in the city 
office, street department. 

Samuel F. Durfee, Corporal; 28; Fall River. 
He resides in Fall River. He carries on the team- 
ing business and is janitor of the G. A. R. Hall. 

James McGuire^ Corporal ; 31 ; Fall River. Died 
several years ago. 

George G. Grush, Corporal; 20; Fall River. In 
the employ of the Bell Telephone Company (long 
distance). A very busy man when on duty; a gen- 
ial companion when off duty. He resides in Fall 
River. 

Charles S. Weaver, Wagoner; 20; Fall River. 

He went W^est; since then nothing has been heard 

of him. 

Privates. 

Althan, George; 18; Fall River. Dead. 

Andrews, Thomas; 44; W^estport. Dead. 

Austin, Francis S. ; 30; Fall River. He resides 
in Fall River, where for many years he was boss ma- 
chinist. He retired from business in good circum- 
stances. He has two sons and three daughters liv- 
ing. 

Borden, Stephen B. ; 23; Fall River. Dead. 



Butler, James; 32; Fall River. Died at Soldiers 
Home, Togus, Maine, July 10, 1904. 

Baker^ Abram H. ; 18; Westport. He went to 
California and is supposed to be living. 

BucKLiN, George W. ; 37; Fall River. Dead. 

Brayton, Stephen F.; 21; Fall River. Resides 
in Fall River. 

Bowers, Joseph ; 21 ; Fall River. A machinist 
for M. C. D. Borden. 

BoHAN, James; 22; Fall River. Resides in Provi- 
dence, R. I. 

Borden, John A.; 21; Fall River. Nothing 
known of him since the war. 

Bradbury, William ; 18 ; Fall River. Resides in 
Providence, R. I. He is an efficient member of the 
police force of that city. Is a comrade of Slo€um 
Post, No. 10, G. A. R., and past grand of Westmin- 
ster Lodge, No. 27, I. O. O. F. A fluent speaker 
and earnest worker in the Order. 

Brow, Frank E.; 16; Fall River. He went to 
Los Angeles, Cal., where he is supposed to be living. 

Clark, Henry ; 36 ; Fall River. Died a long time 
ago. 

Clarkson, Edwin; 18; Fall River. Resides in 
Central Falls, R. I. 



TOLUNTEER MILITIA. 143 

CoGGESHALL, Edward D. ; 25 ; Fall River. A black 
smith, Jamestown, N. Y. 

Caswell, Thomas N. ; 32 ; Fall River. Dead. 

Cook, Charles H.; 25; Fall River. He resides 
in Fall River and is janitor of the Veteran Fire- 
men's Building. 

Chase, George N. ; 23; Fall River. Dead. 

Crapo, Francis H. ; 22; Fall River. Died in Chi- 
cago years ago. 

Caldwell, William ; 30 ; Fall River. A farmer, 
living just out of Fall River. 

Cameron^ John A.; 18; Fall River. Resides in 
Fall River. 

Cash. William ; 35 ; Fall River. Resides in Fall 
River. He was company bugler. 

Crowley, Patrick; 40; Westport. Resides in 
Fall River. 

(Brighton, Thomas J.; 18. He re-enlisted Aug. 
17, 1864, and was discharged July 27, 1865. He was 
on detached service as aid to surgeon-general. He 
resides in Fall River and is foreman of a brass foun- 
drv there. 



144 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Davol^ John ; 40 ; Fall River. Fife major of regi- 
ment. Died in Taunton, April 20, 1904. 

Davol^ John N. ; 18; Fall River. Drum major of 
regiment. John N. was the son of John Da vol. 
There is a story current that one day there was a 
little difference between father and son, the son 
saying that being drum major, he outranked him 
(the father), whereupon the father retorted that he 
was his father and would give him (the son) a 
sound licking, which he did, after which harmony 
reigned between father and son. 

For many years after the war John Davol was in 
the clothing business in Fall River and John K, his 
son, was in company with him. The last named 
died in the Soldiers Home, Togus, Maine, Oct. 24, 
1904. 

Delmage^ James L. ; 29 ; Fall River. He lives on 
a farm in Swansea, where he is spending his re- 
maining days in the quiet of a well-earned rest. 

DixoN^ James; 30; Fall River. Dead. 

Dolman^ Joseph; 43; Fall River. Dead. 

Darling, John A.; 29; Fall River. He was for 
years a sailor on a coasting vessel, then a carpenter, 
and later a grocer. He was a member of the G. A. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 14fi 

R. He died in January, 1896, leaving a widow, one 
daughter and three sons. 

Davis,, John R. ; 19 ; Fall River. Resides in Fall 
River. 

Deplitch, William ; 35 ; Fall River. He was 
discharged May 27, 1863, on account of wounds re- 
ceived in the Battle of Goldsboro, N. C, Dec. 17, 
1862. For years he held a good position in Wash- 
ington in one of the Government Buildings, receiv- 
ing a good salary. He died in Fall River, Nov. 14, 
1882. 

Eaton^ Josiah J.; 24; W^estport. He died in 
1902 or 3, leaving a widow and one daughter. 

FiSKE, Benjamin S.; 21; Fall River. Nothing 
known of him since he was mustered out. 

Fitzgibbons, Thomas; 43; Fall River. Dead. 

Graham, William; 26; Fall River. Dead. 

Gilbert, Thomas; 26; Fall River. He re-enlisted 
in Twenty-first Unattached Company. He died Oct. 
7, 1904. 

Grant, George A. ; 20 ; Fall River. He re-enlisted 
in Company D, Sixtieth Massachusetts. He resides 
in Brockton, a prominent man of the city, chair- 

10 



146 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

man of the board of assessors for several years, a 
man of affairs with an honorable record. 

Green, Dennis; 18; Westport. Dead. 

HoRSMAN, John; 22; Fall River. Dead. 

HoRSMAN, Francis ; 44 ; Fall River. He was for 
many years a gardener and a mill hand. He resides 
in Fall River and is hale and hearty at the age of 
eighty-seven. 

Hill, Joseph ; 38 ; Fall River. Died in Bristol, 
R. I. 

Irving, Eli; 22; Fall River. A painter. Resides 
in Fall River. 

Jennings, Thomas J.; 21; Fall River. Dead. 

Jennings, Cornelius D.; 35; Fall River. Sup- 
posed to be dead. 

Kbnney, Thomas; 27; Fall River. For many 
years a mill hand; now retired. 

Lawrence, James; 27; Fall River. He re-enlisted 
in Twenty-first Unattached Company Heavy Artil- 
lery. He resides in Fall River and is a collector 
for the Singer Sewing Machine Company. 

Lawton, David; 26; Fall River. Agent for the 
Providence Steamboat Company for many years. 
Dead. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 147 

Lewis, William H. ; 34 ; Fall River. Dead. 
LoRD^ George; 27; Fall River. Dead. 
LocK^ John B.; 18; Fall River. Supposed to be 
living out West. 

Monroe^ Albert F. ; 18 ; Fall River. A popular 
artist of Fall River. Residence, 181 Elm St. 

McKiNNON, Thomas; 28; Fall River. Dead. 
Murphy^ Dennis B. ; 36; Fall River. Resides in 
Fall River. 

Malone, Henry; 21; Fall River. Resides in Fall 
River. 

Mallison, John ; 30 ; Fall River. Unknown. 

Martin, George; 40; Fall River. Dead. 

Martin, Peter; 26; Westport. Resides in Fall 
River. 

Mars^ Reuben ; 19 ; Fall River. Fell from a team 
in New York and was killed. 

Nary^ James; 28; Fall River. Dead. 
Newman, William; 28; Fall River. Dead. 

Peckham, William W. ; 22; Fall River. Re-en- 
listed and was killed in the Battle of Cold Harbor, 
Virginia. 



148 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Peckham^ Peleg H.; 29; Fall River. Boss 
painter in Fall River. 

Phelan, John; 25; Fall River. Dead. 

Pell^ Jabish ; 25 ; Fall River. Died in New Bed- 
ford, 1903. 

Packard^ William H. ; 26; Fall River. He car- 
ried on the blacksmithing business in Fall River 
for many years. Dead. 

Platt, Edward; 35; Fall River. Resides in Fall 
River. 

Read, John P.; 19; Fall River. Died of typhoid 
fever in 1863. 

Regan, Timothy; 18; Fall River. Resides in Fall 
River. 

Regan, Morty; 23; Fall River. Dead. 

Smithson, John; 18; Fall River. Resides in Fall 
River. 

Smith^ Lafayette; 27; Fall River. Dead. 

Sharples^ Lawrence; 20; Fall River. Dead. 

Sidley^ John P.; 25; Fall River. Re-enlisted in 
Fifty-eighth Regiment. Resides in Fall River. 

Smith, James B. ; 23 ; Fall River. A stirring busi- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 



149 



ness man; writer of history of Company C. Re- 
sides in Providence, R. I. 

Terry^ Edward P.; 21; Fall River. Resides in 
Somerset, Mass. 

Thackray, William ; 38 ; Fall River. Re-enlisted 
in Fifth Unattached Company, Heavy Artillery. 
Retired from all business and resides in Fall River. 

Tracy, William; 38; Fall River. Resides in Fall 
River. He believes he can outrun any boy of his 
age. He is now 82 years old. 

Taylor, John; 36; Fall River. Discharged for 
disability, March 2, 1863. Died in Fall River. 

Walker, James; 18; Fall River. Driver for Fire 
Engine, No. 7. Resides in Fall River. 

Wallace, Richard D.; 28; Fall River. Dead. 

Waite, Ishmael; 36; Fall River. Painter. Re- 
sides in Fall River. 



150 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 



CHAPTER VII. 

Company D, Third Regiment, Massachusetts Vol- 
unteer Militia. 

[The following historical sketch of Company D, Third Regiment, 
Massachusetts Volunteer Militia (a nine months' campaign during the 
War of the Rebellion), was prepared by Capt. Aijdrew R. Wright, 
and read by him at the reunion of the Third Regiment, held at Lincoln 
Park, Mass.] 

In the month of August, 1862, a call was made by 
the President of the United States for three hun- 
dred thousand troops to aid in suppressing the re- 
bellion then still existing, and to serve for a term 
of nine months, or during the war. In compliance 
with that call the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
proceeded to mobilize the militia of the State, bj 
reorganizing the old regiments not then in the field, 
and by forming a number of new regiments for ser- 
vice under that call. Among the old regiments in- 
cluded in that call was the Third, which was lo- 
cated in the Old Colony district. Company D of 
this regiment was recruited up to the maximum, 
one hundred and one men, as required at that time 
by the laws of the United States governing the ser- 
vice in time of war. The company was composed of 




Capt. ANDREW R. WRIGHT. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. l^^l 



men enlisted from Fall River and Westport. When 
nearly the full number had been recruited, an elec- 
tion of officers was held in the City Hall in Fall 
River, at which election Col. Silas P. Richmond pre- 
sided. The election resulted in the choice of An- 
drew R. Wright as captain, Thomas McFarland as 
first lieutenant, and George Reynolds as second 
lieutenant. In a few days afterwards the ranks 
having reached the required number, the company 
was ordered to proceed to the camp of instruction 
at Lakeville, which had been prepared by the State 
for such instruction to the raw troops as might be 
given to them previous to being called into active 
service at the front, and also to issue necessary 
clothing and equipments. The camp was known as 
''Camp Joe Hooker." While there the company was 
drilled in the setting-up drill and company move- 
ments, also practical instruction in guard duty. 

On the 23d of September, 1862, the company was 
mustered into the United States service by a i^gu- 
lar army officer; the company was paraded in two 
ranks, the ranks were opened and the front rank 
faced the rear; the mustering officer, having the 
muster roll, passed between the ranks from left to 
right critically examining each man as he came be- 



152 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

fore him. Not one was rejected. After the identi- 
fication and inspection the men collectively were re- 
quired to remove their caps, hold up their right 
hands and take the oath to support the laws and 
constitution of the United States. The parade was 
then dismissed, and the company was then truly a 
portion of Uncle Sam's army for the defence of the 
Union. The non-commissioned officers were ap- 
pointed as follows: 

Sergeants: Samuel B. Hinckley, First; Francis 
McGraw, Almanzor S. Elsbree, James Holt, Thomas 
A. Austin. 

Corporals: Ashael M. Borden, Cornelius Kelley, 
Jr., Philip Chase, Charles E. Slade, William H. 
Wright, William H. Monroe, Sierra L. Braley, 
Charles F. Tripp. 

After the muster the company was furloughed 
for one week that they might make a last visit to 
friends before leaving for the front. At the expira- 
tion of the furlough all returned to camp except 
two; one of whom deserted the service, the other 
was returned to the company by the provost guard 
after they reached Newbern. After all prepara- 
tions had been made the company had orders to 
break camp and proceed to Newbern, N. C, via Bos- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 



153 



ton, and thence b}' steamer to point of destination. 
On the morning of departure from Camp Joe 
Hooker, the regimental line was formed for the first 
time, Company D being upon the extreme left of 
the line. The company with the rest of the regi- 
ment marched from the camp to the railroad sta- 
tion at Lakeville on the line of the Old Colony road 
and embarked upon cars and were transported to 
Boston, marched through the city and went on 
board the steamer Mississippi that was to convey 
the whole of the Fifth and half of the Third Kegi- 
ments to North Carolina. To say that the steamer 
was full conveys but a faint idea of the crowded 
condition of the vessel, and many of the men real- 
ized for the first time the discomforts and priva- 
tions of campaigning; and this was but the begin- 
ning of hardships they endured during their nine 
months' campaign in the swamps and pine barrens 
of the old "North State." After an uneventful voy- 
age by steamer, the company arrived at Morehead 
City and disembarked, then were transported on 
flat, uncovered freight cars to Newbern; arriving 
there they w^ere marched to the first camp occupied 
by the regiment in Dixie. In honor of the colonel 
it was named Camp Richmond. It was located on 



the banks of the Neuse River and on the left of the 
Forty-fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer 
Militia, who had preceded the Third a few days. 
During all this time neither the regiment nor the 
companA- had been supplied with arms, and were 
not so supplied until some days after the arrival, 
when early one evening the long roll was sounded 
and report came in from the front, some six miles 
away, that our pickets had been driven in and the 
enemy was then marching upon Newbern. Then 
the arms and ammunition were issued to the regi- 
ment and as soon as possible the company was pa- 
raded in the company street, anxiously awaiting 
the call to form regimental line; but the alarm 
proved false and the company was dismissed to 
quarters, and the camp quieted down for the night. 
Subsequently, upon critical examination of the arms 
that had been issued, they proved to be a lot of Aus- 
trian rifles, and were nearly worthless. The men 
were very much discouraged, as the springs in the 
locks of some of the rifles were so weak that it was 
impossible to explode a percussion cap with the 
hammers; but by the skill of Sergeant Austin and 
the use of tools procured from the ordnance officers 
of the dejtartment the guns of the company were got 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 



155 



into quite serviceable condition, but were far from 
satisfactory at any time during the company's term 
of service. 

From this time forward until early in the month 
of December, 1862, the company was engaged in the 
regular camp and garrison duty, among which were 
company, battalion, and brigade drills. To vary 
the monotony of camp life somewhat, the company 
with Company C were detailed for picket duty on 
the railroad between Newbern and Beaufort, occu- 
pying a deserted rebel cavalry camp. The company 
remained there two Aveeks and then returned to 
Newbern. 

On the evening of December 10, 1862, after dress 
parade, the colonel commanding gave orders to pre- 
pare three days' cooked rations, and, upon the fol- 
lowing day, to issue the same to the men, and also 
to see that they were provided with serviceable 
shoes and two pairs of new socks for each man, 
that forty rounds of ammunition be supplied each 
cartridge box, that the trunks of all officers and the 
knapsacks of enlisted men be packed with all neces- 
sary articles and made ready for the wagoners who 
would take them on the following afternoon. All 
these unusual orders could mean but one thing, and 



156 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

that was an expedition into the enemy's country ; 
and, acting upon these orders, Company D made re- 
quisitions upon the quartermaster and commissary 
for the requisite amount of supplies to comply 
with the order. The camp was stripped of every- 
thing not absolutely necessary for use by the men. 
Before daylight on the morning of the 11th, the 
regimental line was formed and troops marched out 
into the Neuse road that ran from Newbern out 
into the enemy's country. Very little apparent 
progress was made that day, much time being con- 
sumed straightening out the column, and it was late 
when the company went into bivouac, passing un- 
der a magnificent arch of fire formed by the blazing 
trunks of turpentine trees that lined either side of 
the road and almost as far as the eye could reach on 
the right and left of the column. The next day the 
regiment was detailed to guard the baggage train 
and slow progress was made. 

On the 14th occurred the battle of Kinston, and 
the company being in line of battle for the first 
time, it was attached to the brigade commanded by 
Colonel Lee of the Twenty-seventh Massachusetts 
Regiment, and was on the extreme left of the line, 
it being in close proximity to a field hospital. The 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 157 

sight of the wounded and dying being brought from 
the front and through the lines to the hospital was 
not a cheerful prospect, nor one calculated to en- 
liven the spirits of the men while expecting at any 
moment to receive the order to advance into the 
circle of fire, but no man flinched and all were ready 
for whatever duty might be required of them. The 
brigade being in the rear line of battle was not ac- 
tively engaged with the enemy. The enemy was de- 
feated and the Union column entered Kinston early 
in the evening of that day and went into bivouac in 
a large field or common in front of the town. There 
they remained until the following morning. After 
going into bivouac strict orders were promulgated 
from general headquarters forbidding foraging in 
the town, but sometime in the middle of the night 
the company was mysteriously supplied with a most 
bountiful supply of all needful provisions and many 
of the luxuries of life in the shape of canned jellies, 
fruits, and preserves, and for once at least the com- 
pany reveled in a grand banquet. 

The next morning the company with the rest of 
the troops evacuated the town and took up the line 
of march toward Whitehall, which was reached the 
following day in the afternoon. Here a fierce ar- 



158 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

tillerv fight took place, the right brigade of the col- 
Tiiiin and most, if not all of the artillery, being en- 
gaged with the enemy. 

The brigade to which the Third Massachusetts 
Regiment and Company D was attached, passed 
around the base of a hill in the rear of the line of 
battle (but well within range of the enemy's sharp- 
shooters, as the singing of their rifle bullets pass- 
ing just above the heads of the company so elo- 
quently testified) to the right of the position held 
by the enemy, and which they evacuated that night. 
The company bivouacked the same night upon a 
sandy plain on the edge of a forest, with hungry 
stomachs and empty haversacks; but they were very 
fortunate in finding the commissary wagons that 
night and securing a fifty-pound box of hardtack 
and a few pounds of mixed coffee and sugar, which 
proved a very welcome supper. 

On the next day, the 17th of December, the com- 
pany met the enemy; the brigade to which the regi- 
ment was attached being upon the right of the col- 
umn, found itself in the immediate vicinity of the 
enemy early in the forenoon, the skirmishers driv- 
ing in their pickets and developing their position 
near a bridge on the Wilmington and Welden Rail- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 



159 



road that crosses the Neuse River near the town of 
Goldsboro. After a sharp engagement the enemy 
retired; the Union Infantry Regiments were 
marched to a position near the railroad, stacked 
arms, and commenced to destroy the road, which 
was effectively accomplished for a number of miles. 
At the same time the bridge was fired and de- 
stroyed, thus for the time crippling the road, which 
was supposed to be one of the leading lines of com- 
munication of the Confederate army of Northern 
Virginia with the southern portion of the Confed- 
eracy. 

When preparing to leave the field an alarm was 
made that the enemy had rallied, reformed their 
lines, and were about to make an attack. The 
alarm proved to be correct, our lines were hastily 
reformed to resist such attack. It was at this time 
that the company first met the enemy face to face, 
as they came down the railroad embankment like a 
swarm of immense gray ants. They formed line 
of battle in the open fields as on parade, and started 
with a yell to make a charge upon the Union lines 
some three hundred yards in their front. These 
lines were composed of troops of which Company D 



160 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

of the Third Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Mi- 
litia formed a part. 

Sections of the New York Artillery and Belger's 
Rhode Island battery of Parrott guns were rapidly 
placed in position in the immdiate front of the in- 
fantry lines formed to resist the charge of the en- 
emy, and hurled such terrible charges of grape and 
canister into the faces of the enemy that no human 
courage could withstand, and, before more than half 
the distance that separated the contending lines 
had been traversed, the enemy's lines were broken, 
and those of the enemy who were able to do so 
sought shelter in the thick woods on their left, fol- 
lowed by showers of bullets from the rifles of the 
infantry. While this scene was terribly exciting, 
so far as known not a man left the ranks of Com- 
pany D, with the exception of one man slightly 
wounded by a fragment of an exploded shell. 

This action ended the active hostilities of this ex- 
pedition of the Eighteenth Army Corps into the en- 
emy's country. It failed of its co-operative pur- 
pose, as the Army of the Potomac had been disas- 
tiously defeated at Fredericksburg a short time pre- 
vious, thus enabling the commander of the Confed- 
erate forces to reinforce at an^' point. The expe- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 161 

dition returned to Newbern without incident, and 
siiortly after were ordered to inscribe upon their 
colors the words "Kinston," "Whitehall," and 
"■Goldsboro," to commemorate the battles that were 
fought at the locations indicated. 

An inspiring sight gladdened the hearts of the 
company when approaching Newbern on the return 
from the expedition, in the appearance of the Stars 
and Stripes floating in the air from the flagstaff on 
Fort Totten ; it seemed to welcome the column home 
from the dangers and hardships it had endured in 
its defence. 

The company went into its old quarters at Camp 
Richmond, and the regular routine of camp duty 
commenced. The trunks and knapsacks were again 
returned by the wagoners, and the company w^ere 
housekeeping comfortably once more. Nothing of 
great interest occurred until early in the year of 
1863, the company in the meantime participating 
with the regiment in two or three marches into the 
enemy's country, but with no apparent results. In 
the late winter or early spring of 1863 the enemy 
made a reconnoissance in force along the whole line 
of the department, and seemed determined to make 

an assault upon Newbern from the left flank of the 

11 



162 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Neuse River and directly opposite of the town, but 
they were held at bay by a comparatively small 
force, when, with the assistance of the gunboats, 
they were compelled to retire. A strong demon- 
stration was made upon the lines immediately in 
front of Newbern, strong reinforcements, among 
whom were the Third Regiment with Company D 
attached, were hurried to the front, remaining un- 
der arms all night, and momentarily expecting an 
attack, but no assault came and the enemy with- 
drew. They seemed more determined upon the ex- 
treme right of the lines of the department, as they 
erected batteries upon the river bluff opposite the 
town of little Washington, thus cutting off com- 
munication with the troops occupying that position, 
and the rest of the department, also holding the 
general commanding the department at the time the 
enemy closed the river. To relieve this condition 
of affairs, a column was formed of all the available 
troops then in Newbern, among whom was the regi- 
ment to which Company D was attached, and an at- 
tempt was made to reach the rear of the enemy's 
position in front of Little Washington by way of a 
road crossing Blount's Creek in the rear of the posi- 
tion held by the enemy; but the attempt failed, al- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 163 

though the artillery attached to the column and the 
right of the brigade to which the company was at- 
tached, were actively engaged with the enemy per- 
haps for a half hour. Yet, for some unexplained 
reason, the order was given to retreat on Newbern, 
which the column reached without molestation by 
the enemy, and the troops in a dispirited frame of 
mind, as they could not understand the grand strat- 
egy exhibited upon this expedition. 

About this time a number of regiments returned 
to the department from South Carolina, where they 
had been sent some months before to re-enforce Gen- 
eral Hunter in his operations against the rebel po- 
sition in and about Fort Sumter and the ap- 
proaches to Charleston. About the time that these 
troops returned to the department General Foster 
bravely succeeded in running the blockade at Little 
Washington, and suddenly appeared at Newbern. 
Affairs quickly assumed a different aspect. He im- 
mediately organized two expeditions, one to reach 
the rear of the rebel position that was besieging 
Little Washington, the other to make a demonstra- 
tion on Kinstou. Company D was attached to the 
latter column, and with the rest of the troops was 
transported by train to Batchelder's Creek, the ex- 



164 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

trenie front line of the department. The company 
remained here a few days, and with the rest of the 
regiment and other troops, made threatening dem- 
onstrations upon the enemy's position in front of 
Kinston. No decisive action was had, but the dem- 
onstrations there and at Little Washington had the 
effect of raising the siege of that place, and the en- 
emy retreated from his threatening positions before 
the whole line, and quiet reigned again. 

In the early spring an order was received by the 
commanding officer of Company D from regimental 
headquarters to report to General Wessels, then in 
temporary command of the department, for instruc- 
tion in some special duty. The officer so ordered 
immediately reported, and, in the interview with 
the general, the officer was told that information 
had been received that the enemy were preparing 
to erect fortifications at a locality some twelve or 
fourteen miles below Newbern, on the northerly 
bank of the Neuse river, and known as Wilkinson's 
Point, for the purpose of blockading the river, thus 
closing this very important line of water communi- 
cation by which the department received a very 
large part of its supplies of all kinds. He then 
gave the following order, ''You will take with your- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 165 

self 7v'0ur first lieutenant, two or three non-commis- 
sioned officers and fifty privates; see that they are 
provided with three days' cooked rations in their 
haversacks and forty rounds of ammunition in their 
cartridge boxes. You will leave camp at five o'clock 
in the morning, march to the government wharf in 
the rear of general headquarters and go on board a 
steamer which you will find awaiting you there. 
A topographical engineer will be taken on board 
from the surveying steamer lying in the stream; 
you will then proceed down the river, being con- 
voyed by one of the gunboats, the commanding offi- 
cer of which has been given his instructions. Ar- 
riving near the point, your steamer will come to an- 
chor, and you will observe closely whether signs of 
the enemy can be seen from the steamer; if there 
are indications that the enemy are in force then the 
gunboat will shell the place vigorously to drive 
them back from the point, when you will land your 
command under cover of the fire of the gunboat, 
and make a thorough inspection of the work that 
has been done by the enemy, and effectually destroy 
any fortifications that may have been begun. The 
engineer will land with you and make such plans 
J nd drawings as he may think proper. If upon 



166 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

your arrival at the })oint no signs of the enemy are 
apparent, you will land half of 3'our command and 
endeavor to ascertain whether any unusual num- 
ler of people, either soldiers or civilians, have vis- 
ited or made surveys of the point; thoroughly ex- 
amine tlie location one or two miles back from the 
point and upon either side of it, and make report to 
these headquarters through your regimental com- 
mander." 

The officer, after receiving these instructions, was 
dismissed by the general with the significant re- 
mark that ''this duty may be a pleasant excursion, 
or it may prove to be a very serious matter. Let 
us hope that it will turn out to be the former." 

The captain immediately returned to the regimen- 
tal camp and the detachment was fully prepared 
that night. It was off bright and early the next 
morning; the point was reached in due time, but 
no signs of the enemy w^ere seen. A detail of 
twenty-five men and sergeants, under the command 
of Lieutenant McFarland, was landed from the 
steamer and spent several hours seeking for knowl- 
edge of the enemy, but none was obtained and the 
detail was re-embarked and the steamer and detach- 
ment returned to Newbern the same day, the detail 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 167 

reaching camp about dusk, much pleased with this 
pleasant tour of duty. 

Sometime in the month of May Company D with 
E and F companies was detailed for a tour of two 
weeks' picket duty at Deep Gully, at the extreme 
front of this department. Nothing of moment oc- 
curred during the time occupied in this duty. At 
the expiration of two weeks the detail returned to 
camp at Newbern. 

The term of service was now drawing near its 
close. Quite naturally the members of the company 
were impatient to return to the dear friends at 
home. In due time the order came to break camp 
and proceed to Boston. All camp and garrison 
equipage was collected and turned over to an officer 
detailed from general headquarters to receive it. All 
articles belonging to the company not otherwise 
needed was distributed to the comrades of other 
regiments in the department. 

Early in June the regiment paraded in heavy 
marching order and marched out of the camp, 
where, upon the whole, so many pleasant days had 
been passed, and lasting friendships had been 
formed. The regiment marched through the town 
and gayly gave a marching salute to the brigade 



108 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

commander as it passed his headquarters. The col- 
onel, staff, colors and right wing of the regiment 
marched to the railroad station in Newbern and was 
transported to Morehead City, thence took the 
steamer >Sf. R. Spaiilding to Boston. The left wing, 
to whicli Company D was attached, proceeded to 
the wharf in rear of general headquarters and went 
on board the steamer Tillie and sailed down the 
river to Hatteras Inlet, remaining inside the bar 
until the following morning, then proceeded to sea 
and reached Boston in due time. Escorted by the 
Forty-fourth Regiment, the Third marched to the 
Old Colony railway station, saluting the Governor 
of the Commonwealth when passing the State 
House. Company D with the rest of the regiment 
was furloughed for one week with orders to report 
at Camp Joe Hooker, Lakeville, at that time, there 
to be mustered out of the United States service. 
Companies C and D were transported to Fall River, 
where a very cordial reception awaited them by the 
city government. Upon the expiration of the fur- 
lough the company returned to Camp Joe Hooker, 
and, on June 26, 1863, was mustered out of service 
and returned to their several homes ; and it is to be 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 1^^^ 

believed none regretted the duty wliicli he had been 
able to perform for the country in its time of need. 

Corrected Roster op Company D. 

[Written by Comrade Vernon Wade.] 

[The first figures indicate age at enlistment : the city and town, the place 

of enlistment.] 

Andrew R. Wright, Captain; 30; Fall River. At- 
tended Fall River schools. Learned the trade of a 
machinist. In 1853 went to California, where he 
remained four years. On his return to Fall River 
worked at his trade. A man of staunch character. 
Organized Company D, which was attached to 
Third Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, 
and was with his company during the North Caro- 
lina campaign; participated in all the battles of the 
regiment and was mustered out of the same. Re- 
turned to Fall River. Worked four years at his 
trade in Providence, again returned to Fall River, 
and was associated with A. G. Thurston in mechan- 
ical business. Was City Marshal of Fall River nine 
years. Was elected high sheriff of Bristol County, 
which office he held eighteen years. Keeper also of 
Taunton jail. Died in Fall River, July 3, 1899, leav- 
ing a widow and two children. Was a member of 
Mount Hope Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Richard Borden 



170 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Post, G. A. R., the Unitarian Society, and Fall 
River Board of Trade. Highly respected by all, as 
a citizen, soldier, and business gentleman, he lived 
beloved, and died lamented by his company and his 
large circle of friends. 

Thomas McFarland, First Lieutenant; 36; Fall 
River. Born in Scotland, 1826. Came to Fall River 
and worked in one of the cotton mills. Enlisted in 
Company D, and was elected first lieutenant in 
same, served with his company through the nine 
months' campaign. Re-enlisted and was promoted 
captain of Company G, Fifty-eighth Massachusetts- 
Infantry. Killed at battle of Cold Harbor, June 3, 
1864, leaving a widow and two children. 

George Reynolds, Jr., Second Lieutenant; 24; 
Fall River. He was a faithful officer and a true 
friend to every man in the Company. He is en- 
gaged in the wholesale fish business in Fall River 
and lives in Tiverton, R. I. He is a great admirer of 
horses and but few can tell all the points of a good 
blooded horse better than George. 

Samuel B. Hinckly, First Sergeant; 30; Fall 
River. He re-enlisted and was promoted captain of 
Company G, Fifty-eighth Regiment, where he proved 
himself a brave, discreet officer, who won the con- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. ITl 

fidence of all liis men in battle by his cool courage, 
devotion to his country, and his unlimited patriot- 
ism for country and the Old Flag. Soon after the 
war he went to Riverside, California, where he now 
has an orange grove of ten acres. Samuel always 
has on hand a treat for all who visit him, and an 
extra box of the best fruit for any member of the 
old Third. 

Almanza S. Elsbree, Sergeant; 28; Fall River. 
For many years after the war he had charge of a 
stationary engine. He died Dec. 26, 1893, respected 
by a large circle of friends, leaving a widow and 
two children. 

Frank McGraw, Sergeant; 30; Fall River. He 
was born in Ireland and came to America a strong, 
vigorous youth. He enlisted in Company D, Sept. 
23, 1862; served in the nine months' campaign, and 
was mustered out with the regiment. He re-enlisted 
in 1864 and was detailed in the signal corps with 
Sherman, marching with him to the sea. After the 
war for many years he was in business in Fall 
River, where he was highly respected. He w^as ap- 
pointed inspector of the Fall River police force. He 
died in Fall River, May 26, 1892, leaving three chil- 
dren. By request Rev. J. G. Gammons conducted 



172 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

the funeral service. Gen. O. O. Howard was pres- 
ent and made complimentary remarks on the sol- 
dierly character of Comrade McGraw. A large con- 
course of people were present including Richard 
Borden Post, G. A. R., of which he was an honored 
and an active member. He was buried with mili- 
tary honors in the beautiful Oak Grove Cemetery, 
Fall River. 

James Holt, Sergeant; 24; Fall River. He was 
taken sick with typhoid fever in Newbern and car- 
ried to the hospital, from which he was discharged 
and returned to the company. He died April 30, 
1869. A widow and two sons survive him. 

Thomas Austin; age, 26; Fall River. Unknown. 

AsHiEL M. Borden, Corporal ; 24 ; Fall River. He 
was a good, true soldier, served his time of enlist- 
ment, and was discharged with the regiment. He 
died Aug. 9, 1871, leaving a widow and four chil- 
dren. The widow was burned to death several years 
ago; two children are now living. 

Cornelius Kelley, Jr., Corporal ; 31 ; Fall River. 
Died several years ago. 

Philip Chase, Corporal; 28; Fall River. He was 
a member of the Seventh Massachusetts Regiment 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 



173 



Militia, June 15, 1861. He enlisted in the Third 
Regiment Sept. 23, 1862. He enlisted in the Thir- 
teenth Regiment, Company K, Sept. 1, 1864. He 
was mustered out Nov. 23, 1865. He is now a hotel 
clerk. 

Charles E. Slade, Corporal; 26; Fall River. He 
was taken sick and sent to the Stanley Hospital, 
Newbern, soon after he arrived there. When suffi- 
ciently recovered he was detailed as nurse. He re- 
turned home with the regiment and mustered out 
with the same. After the war he went into business. 
He was elected superintendent of Grant Mill in Fall 
River, a position which he filled to the satisfaction 
of the corporation. He died Feb. 8, 1895. He left 
a son who resides in Providence, R. I., and a daugh- 
ter who is the wife of George W. Bliss, a grocer in 
Fall River. 

William H. Wright, Corporal; 26; Westport. 
He re-enlisted in Company G, Fifty-eighth Massa- 
chusetts Volunteers. He wore a medal which had 
been presented to him by Queen Victoria. He was 
a prisoner of war and was confined in Salisbury 
Prison, North Carolina, Jan. 23, 1865. 

William H. Monroe, Corporal; 22; Fall River. 
He was also lieutenant in the Sixtieth Massachu- 



174 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSxVCHUSETTS 

setts Volunteer Regiment. On returning home he 
engaged in the painting, decorating, and paper 
hanging business. He resides in San Pedro, Cali- 
fornia, and has one son living in Trinidad, Colo- 
rado. 

Sierra L. Braley, Corporal; 19; Fall River. He 
re-enlisted Dec. 11, 1863, as sergeant. Battery L, 
Heavy Artillery. He was promoted to second lieu- 
tenant, April 16, 1865. He was lieutenant United 
States Colored Troops, June 3, 1865. He was first 
lieutenant of Company D, State Militia in 1866, 
and captain in 1868. He was quartermaster of the 
Third Battery, Sept. 1, 1876. He was captain of 
Company M, Dec. 17, 1878, and resigned Jan. 1, 
1879. He was bookkeeper for George E. Hoar un- 
til his death, which occurred Feb. 27, 1901, in Fall 
River. A widow and one daughter survive him, liv- 
ing in Fall River. 

Charles P. Tripp, Corporal; 21; Westport. He 
is by trade a carpenter. He served during the nine 
months' campaign. He was badly injured while 
tearing up the railroad track at the battle of Golds- 
boro. He came home and was mustered out with 
the regiment. He was a contractor and builder for 
many years in Fall River. He served five terras as 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 175 

councilman in the City Government. He was a 
member of several mystic orders, G. A. R., and Red 
Men. He died April 29, 1895. 

Edwin J. Dyer, Musician; 18; Fall River. He re- 
enlisted twice and was for a time in the commis- 
sary department. After muster out he went into 
the machinery business. He was a clothier, a mer- 
cantile agent, and is now president of a life insur 
ance company. He is a member of Post No. 2, G. 
A. R., Boston. He resides in Dorchester, Mass. 

Charles C. Borden, Musician; 17; Fall River. 
Unknown. 

Valentine Perry, Wagoner; 39; Fall River. 
Died Jan. 19, 1901. 

Privates. 

Ash, Thomas; 20; Fall River. Unknown. 

Baker, Jeremiah D.; 40; Fall River. At the time 
of enlistment he was a nailer. He re-enlisted in 
Company G, Corporal, Fifty-eighth Regiment, 
March 26th and was mustered out July 14, 1865. 
He went into the quarry business. He died leaving 
a widow, now eighty-five years old, and three chil- 
dren. 



176 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Brightman^ William B.; 21; Fall River. A fish- 
erman in Alaskan waters. 

Brightman^ Jambs; 20; Fall River. Re-enlisted 
in Company I, Second Regiment Heavy Artillery 
as Corporal, Sept. 3, 1865. 

Brown^ Samuel; 22; Westport. He re-enlisted in 
Company G, Fifty-eighth Massachusetts. He died 
of wounds May 12, 1864. 

Borden^ Isaac S.; 23; Westport. He re-enlisted 
in Fifty-eighth Regiment, March 12, 1864. He was 
wounded in battle and discharged July 14, 1865. 
He is a grocer. 

Bradbury^ Robert; 37; Westport. Discharged 
May 12, 1863. Dead. 

CooGAN^ James; 40; Fall River. Dead. 

Clarkson^ Thomas; 27; Fall River. Wounded 
in the battle of Goldsboro. Died Jan. 6, 1897. 

Cannady^ William J.; 18; Fall River; Moulder. 
Resides in Fall River. 

Curren^ James; 19; Westport. Dead. 

Casey^ Michael; 23; Westport. Re-enlisted in 
Company F, Fifty-eighth Massachusetts Regiment. 
Mustered out July 16, 1865. 

CoRDiNGLY, Thomas R. ; 36; Westport. Dead. 

Cutler^ Israel; 26; Westport. Unknown. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 177 

Davis^ John P.; 44; Fall Klver. Known as com- 
pany's poet. Dead. 

Dacy, Timothy; 40; Fall River. Dead. 

Demaranville, Stephen E. ; 21; Westport. Sup- 
posed to be living in New Bedford. 

Donovan^ Edward M.; 25; Fall River. He re-en- 
listed in Company G, Fifty-eighth Regiment. He 
was wounded and taken prisoner Sept. 31, 1864. He 
died in Petersburg. 

Daval, Henry S. ; 23; Westport. Dead. 

DwYER^ William; 27; Westport. He re-enlisted 
in Company G, Fifty-ninth Massachusetts Volun- 
teers. He was wounded June 18, 1864. Dead. 

DoLAN^ Andrew; 36; Westport. Dead. 

Dillon^ John; 22; Westport. Deserted Sept. 25, 
1862. 

Dyer, Stephen K.; 18; Westport. Died in New- 
bern, June 6, 1863. 

Earl, Andrew R. ; 23; Westport. Known as the 
''large man" (265 pounds), had his suits made to 
order — "the baby of Company D." A brave and 
fearless soldier, who was faithful to every duty and 
was never scared. Resides at Soldiers Home, Santa 
Monica, Cal. Fell down an elevator well and broke 
bis legs while at work in San Francisco. 

12 



178 HISTORY OB^ THE THIRD MASSxS.CHUSETTS 

FoLGER, David J.; 23; Fall River. He re-enlisted 
in Company M, Second Massachusetts Cavalry. He 
was a prisoner in Libby and Andersonville nine 
months with twenty of his comrades who were taken 
at the same time, and was the only one to survive 
the hardships of prison life. He was a carriage 
manufacturer and continued in that business until 
his death, June 4, 1901. A widow and one daughter 
living in Amesbury, Mass., survive him. 

Francis, William; 19; Fall River. Died in Fall 
River. 

Frawley, Patrick; 32; Fall River. Unknown. 

Freelove, Richmond D.; 24; Fall River. Died in 
Fall River. 

Fay, Edward; 23; Westport. Farmer, grocer, 
business man; lives with his son in Bolton, Mass. 

Flaherty, John; 33; Fall River. Died in Fall 
River, Dec. 15, 1893. 

Crush, Frederick A.; 22; Fall River. He re-en- 
listed as First Sergeant in Company G, Fifty-eighth 
Massachusetts Infantry. He was taken prisoner at 
the battle of Crater July 30th, and died at Anna- 
polis, Md., October, 1864. 

Hackley, John; 40; Westport. Died in 1863. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 3 79 

Hayston, Thomas; 31; Fall River. Dead. 

Hanson, George; 18; Fall River. Re-enlisted 
July 21, 1864, in Sixtieth Unattached Company, 
Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. Oil merchant. 

Harrington, Timothy; 23; Westport. Dead. 
Harrington, Daniel; 19; Westport. Lives in 
Fall River. 

Harrington, John; 18; Westport. Dead. 

Hoolhen, Michael; 21; Westport. Unknown. 

JoRDEN, James; 18; Fall River. Discharged June 
10, 1863. Transferred ; did not return with the regi- 
ment. 

KiDD, Thomas; 40; Fall River. Resides in Fall 
River. Clerk. 

Kaylor, William ; 24 ; Westport. Known as 
"Lawyer Kaylor;" very active in learning and ex- 
pounding army regulations, services to be rendered 
and rations due each man. Died Feb. 8, 1898. 

Leadw^ith, James; 20; Fall River. He re-enlisted 
in Company H, Seventeenth Massachusetts Regi- 
ment. He was discharged at the end of the war. 
He is a painter and lives in Fall River. 

Levally, Benjamin W. ; 18; Fall River. He re- 



180 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

enlisted in Captain Hurlburt's company of cavalry. 
He died in Fall River, Aug. 17, 1900. 

Leary^ James; 18; Fall River. He re-enlisted in 
Company G, Fifty-eighth Massachusetts Infantry. 
He was wounded May 12th and taken prisoner Sept. 
30, 1864. He was killed on railroad crossing at Fall 
River, Mass. 

Manchester^ Gilbert; 19; Westport. Unknown. 
Murphy^ Jeremiah E.; 21; Fall River. Un- 
known. 

Miller^ George; 34; Westport. Supposed to be 
dead. 

Marshall^ John; 24; Westport. Unknown. 
Murphy, Timothy; 32; Fall River. Dead. 
Morton, Charles H.; 21; Fall River. Commis- 
sioned second lieutenant, October, 1863; assigned 
to duty as adjutant of recruiting, and was on duty 
at Readville, Mass. Mustered first lieutenant of 
Company G, Fifty-eighth Regiment and was with 
the regiment through the battles of the Wilderness, 
Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, and in the march 
across the James; in engagements June 16th, 17th, 
18th, in front of Petersburg and the Battles of the 
Mine, July 30th ; taken prisoner September 30t]i at 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 



181 



Poplar Grove fight. In prison at Libby and Dan- 
ielsonville, Va., and Salisbury, N. C. Exchanged 
Feb. 22, 1865. Went to oil fields, Pennsylvania. 
Proprietor of a store in New Bedford; in the real 
estate business in Boston; deputy state constabu- 
lary from 1866 to 1870. On account of poor health 
retired from all business until 1873, when he was 
appointed postmaster of Fair Haven, which posi- 
tion he held fourteen years. Director of National 
Bank of Fair Haven, and its president from 1884 
until July 1, 1904. Treasurer of Fair Haven In- 
stitution for Savings since 1886. Chairman of 
School Board. 

MowRY, William I. ; 18 ; Fall River. Re-enlisted 
in Fourth Cavalry, Aug. 20, 1863. Discharged at 
Richmond, Va., Nov. 14, 1865. Boss carpenter at 
Tecumseh Mills. Lives in Fall River. 

MiLLERicK, John ; 25 ; Fall River. Re-enlisted in 
Company F, Fifty-eighth Regiment, and was in all 
the battles of the regiment ; wounded in battle ; cap- 
tured and had his arm amputated in a Rebel prison ; 
paroled Aug. 10, 1864, and mustered out July 13, 
1865. Night watchman for several years. Died 
Mar. 31, 1878, leaving a widow and seven children. 



18ti HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Mellor^ Charles H.; 18; Fall Kiver. Unknown. 

McKenny^ Felix, Jr.; 21; Fall River. He was 
wounded at Blount's Creek bj^ the falling of the 
limb of a tree, which was cut off by a Rebel shell. 
A barber in Fall River. • 

McDermott, Thomas; 28; Fall River. Re-en- 
listed March 12, 1864. Died of wounds July 5, 1864. 
McPhbe, Thomas; 40; Fall River. Dead. 
McDonald^ Daniel; 28; Fall River. Unknown. 

McNaughton^ Charles; 38; Westport. Died 
Feb. 11, 1894. 

McGuiNNESS, Edward; 37; Fall River. Died Jan. 
3, 1900. A widow and several children survive him. 

McGowAN^ John ; 30 ; Westport. Unknown. 

Ogden, Henry ; 25 ; Fall River. Died in 1893. 

Page^ Hathaway B. ; 20; Fall River. Re-enlisted 
in Sixtieth Infantry. Dead. 

PooL^ John ; 44 ; Fall River. Dead. 

Peters^ John; 29; Fall River. Re-enlisted March 
12, 1864, in Company F, Fifty-eighth Regiment. 
Died in Salisbury prison. North Carolina, Jan. 15, 
1865. 

Platt, Charles; 19; Fall River. Unknown. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 381 

Petty^ Hiram S. ; 30; Westport. Re-enlisted in 
Second Heavy Artillery, Company I. Mustered out 
Sept. 3, 1865, at the expiration of his term of ser- 
vice. Dead. 

Pickles^ James; 26; Westport. Unknown. 

Ryan, Jeremiah ; 44 ; Westport. Believed to be 
dead. 

Robotham, James; 18; Westport. Dead. 

Shehan^ Daniel; 25; Fall River. Dead. 

Sherman^ William H. ; 25; Fall River. Lives at 
the Soldiers Home, Togus, Maine, and has charge of 
the steam in connection with the Home. 

Shay, Michael W. ; 19; Fall River. Dead. 
Sargent^ John; 23; Fall River. Dead. 

Sanpord^ Sylvester; 22; Fall River. Re-enlisted 
in Company G, Fifty-eighth Regiment. Works at 
carpentering and stone work in South Westport, 
Mass., where he resides. 

SouLE^ Robert F. ; 18 ; Westport. Lives in Baker- 

ville, Dartmouth. Farmer. 

Shaw, Charles; 42; Westport. Dead. 

Smith, Robert; 35; Westport. Supposed to be 
dead. 



184 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Tripp^ Allen H. ; 25; Westport. Died in Provi- 
dence, R. I. 

WiSB^ Whitlock; 27; Westport. Unknown. 

Wade, Vernon; 28; Fall River. Re-enlisted, ser- 
geant in Sixtieth Massachusetts Regiment. A faith- 
ful soldier, a true patriot, a successful business 
man, trusted and respected by all. Resides in Fall 
River, where he carries on a grocery business. 

Woodcock, Jonas; 36; Fall River. Dead. 




Capt. JOHN A. HAWES. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. ^^^ 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Company E, Third Regiment, Massachusetts Vol- 
unteer Militia. 

[By Frederick F. Maxfield.] 

This company was made up of New Bedford men 
with three exceptions, Capt. John A. Hawes, of 
Fairhaven ; Daniel H. Tripp, of Westport ; and 
Albert M. Allen, of Westport. For the greater part 
the company was composed of young men and men 
in the prime of life. It is well for us to remember 
that New Bedford has an unique history, among 
the military companies of the State. First, the 
New Bedford Guards were organized in 1842. They 
were disbanded, and out of that organization came 
many who served as officers during the War of the 
Rebellion. At the present time there are two of 
the New Bedford Guards living ; viz., James E. 
Blake, druggist, corner of Second and Middle 
Streets, New Bedford ; William Balis, grain 
dealer, foot of Middle Street. In 1853 the City 
Guards were organized and drilled. This com- 
pany, known in history as Company L and City 
Guards continued in commission, answered to the 



186 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

call of President Lincoln, and served three months 
in the Third Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer 
Militia. On its return to New Bedford all its com- 
missioned officers resigned, and William E. Mason, 
sergeant of the company, was in command. When 
the call was made for three hundred thousand men, 
Sergeant Mason recruited the company to its maxi- 
mum number, but, being a modest man, and know- 
ing that John A. Hawes was an adept in military 
matters, he asked Mr. Hawes to be captain of the 
company, which being agreed to by all. Sergeant Ma- 
son was made first lieutenant, and James L. Sharp 
second lieutenant. 

Captain Hawes was a man eminently fitted for 
the commander of the company. Born in a home 
of wealth, educated in the schools of his own town, 
and in Harvard Law College, and having practiced 
law, he was well prepared to deal with all the dif- 
ficult questions of military and army life ; yet not- 
withstanding his wealth, he never asked his com- 
pany to go where he would not lead, nor to suffer 
hardships which he would not share with them. He 
went to war not for pay, but for the honor of the 
old flag, which he loved more than wealth, more 
than ease, more than honors. That his services 



187 

VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 

were appreciated by his superior oiBcer. will be seen 
by the following : 

" Headquarters Seconi. BmaADE, Fifth Division, 
Eighteenth Army Corps, 

Newberk, N. C, May 6, 1863. 

Captain John A. Hawes: 

It is with much pleasure and I may say pride, inasmuch as 
your splendid company is part of my brigade, that I con- 
gratulate you on the remarkable good condition of your com- 
pany, both in reference to drill, discipline, and sold.er y 
bearing. To command such a fine company must certam.y 
be an honor of which you may well feel proud. 
I have the honor to be. Captain, 

Very respectfully your obedient servant, 
J. JOURDAN, Colonel, 

Commanding Brigade.'' 

Captain Hawes looked after the rights and well 
being of his men, in camp and on the march. He 
never allowed one of his company to do a daredevil 
act just for the notoriety of the thing, neither did 
he allow any one to shirk his duty. Each man must 
do his duty, and each man must be given his rights 
in rations, in recreations, and in social enjoyments. 
On the march he took always the left side of his 
company, and, if for any good reason, one of his boys 



188 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

became unable to continue the inarch from sickness, 
he always found a place for him in an ambulance, 
instead of leaving him bv the roadside to care for 
himself. He has been heard to say, ''Mrs. in- 
trusted her boy to me, and I must so care for him, 
that should we live to go home, when I meet her I 
can look her in the face with the consciousness that 
I did my duty." Such was Captain Hawes as an 
officer of the army. 

On returning home he took up his citizen life 
quietly, and enjoyed the comfort of his luxurious 
home. For several years he was president of the 
Bristol County Agricultural Society at Myricks, 
where his good judgment and kindly acts will long 
be remembered. A little incident explains his char- 
acter. One morning a representative from the 
church in Myricks went to him and suggested that 
a rope be put across one of the driveways on the 
Agricultural Society grounds, as some of the people 
of Myricks were nearly run over by the careless driv- 
ing on the previous day. Turning to one of his offi- 
cials, he said, " Mr. says a rope should be put 

across the road to prevent people from being run 
over." ''If he wants a rope across the road, let him 
put it there," said the official. Turning to the offi- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 189 

cial he said, ''This is my friend, you see that a rope 
is put across the road/' and the proud official had 
to obey orders. For years he was commodore of the 
New Bedford Yacht Fleet, where by his gentlemanly 
courtesies to his superiors, inferiors, and equals, he 
endeared himself to all. After a well-rounded out 
life, with his loved ones around him, he quietly 
passed from w^orks to reward, lamented by a large 
circle of friends, who to this day regard him as a 
model man, a good officer, and a true friend to all 
wuth whom he had to do. 

The same that is said of Captain Hawes can be 
said of First Lieutenant Mason, who will be remem- 
bered by every man in the company and regiment, 
also, as a man of high moral character, and a true 
officer. Modest, yet firm in discipline; gentle, yet 
insisting that every man must do his duty; bold, 
when duty called; careful, when care became the 
better part of valor, he would not allow himself, nor 
the men under his command, to imperil life just for 
the name of being called bold; but when duty called 
no braver man could be found and no one who could 
be trusted better with an important duty. True 
to himself, he was true to his men. On the march 
Lieutenant Mason was alwavs at the head of the 



]90 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

company. He never ordered his men to go where 
he would not lead. He served his company and his 
country as a man who believed that shoulder straps 
are honorable only when honored by the wearer. 
His slogan was that every man has rights, which 
must be respected by all regardless of rank or posi- 
tion, and he should be protected in those rights. 

After serving his nine months in the Third Regi- 
ment and being mustered out, he recruited Com- 
pany G, Fifty-eighth Massachusetts Volunteer In- 
fantry, being second lieutenant Sept. 18, 1863, and 
captain in the same company Jan. 22, 1864. Here 
the same good traits as an officer continued. At 
the battle of Cold Harbor he was severely wounded, 
and again at the battle of Crater the same year, 
and for his bravery in these and other battles he 
was invested major. He was mustered out in 1865, 
returned home, and was made inspector in the Cus- 
tom House, Boston, where he remained until failing 
health compelled him to resign. In his home in 
New Bedford, in the calm and serene beauty of a 
life of seventy-eight years well and conscientiously 
spent, he died May 27, 1905, beloved and honored. 

Second Lieut. James L. Sharp was a good officer, 
who readily responded to every duty. Before the 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 19] 

war he carried on the business of a tinsmith in New 
Bedford and was very successful; after the war he 
went to New York and continued in the same busi- 
ness. He is known as the patentee of the celebrated 
Gas Burner Stove. He died several years ago. 



History of Company L, Third Regiment^ Massa- 
chusetts Volunteer Militia, afterwards 
Company E. 

[By Major Cushman.] 

Company L was generally known as the "New 
Bedford City Guards." The first meeting for its 
organization was held July 22, 1852, and, on the 
31st of August following, George A. Bourne was 
commissioned its captain. He had previously been 
commissioned captain of Company K, in the Third 
Light Infantry, Second Brigade, First Division, 
which existed in New Bedford and was known as 
the "City Guards." Captain Bourne resigned Jan. 
19, 1847, and the company was disbanded Aug. 8, 
1849. Captain Bourne commanded the "New Bed- 
ford City Guards" till 1854, when he resigned, and 
was succeeded by Captain Timothy Ingraham, who 
was in command at the time of the receipt of Spe- 



192 HISTORY OP THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

cial Order, No. 14, dated April 15, 1861, which or- 
dered the company to report immediately in Bos- 
ton. 

The New Bedford City Guards under Captain In- 
graham soon became noted for proficiency in drill. 
His son was a cadet at West Point and the com- 
pany not only adopted the complete uniform of the 
cadets, but excelled in the new tactics afterwards 
promulgated by the War Department as Hardee's 
Tactics J which formed a part of the instruction at 
West Point. As a part of their fatigue dress the 
Guards wore a unique scarlet jacket, from which 
they were jocularly termed when in exercise drills, 
the lobster backs. Besides their complement of 
company officers they had an independent staff and 
a full band. They drilled as a battalion as well as 
a company. They acquired many of the improve- 
ments which characterized the noted Ellsworth 
Zouaves, and prided themselves upon excellence in 
skirmishing drills, the "silent manual" bayonet ex- 
ercise, and guard duty. 

When Governor Andrew issued his preparatory 
order of Jan. 16, 1861, almost the entire company 
volunteered to respond to any call for duty without 
the borders of the state, so that when Special Or- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 193 

der, No. 14, was promulgated late that Monday 
evening, April 15th, they flocked to their armory as 
the news spread, to learn of the arrangements for 
their departure. There was little sleep that night 
in the homes of the Guards. What might be their 
ultimate destination none could decide. An omi- 
nous darkness shrouded the immediate future into 
which they were being ushered, trusting in Provi- 
dence and confident in their acquired military 
knowledge. The few short hours before their de- 
parture w^ere devoted to hasty arrangements to pro- 
vide for their families and business while absent. 
Early the next morning they responded to the call 
and at eight o'clock left the armory. Meanwhile 
the citizens had organized a fitting public demon- 
stration of patriotic feeling to bid them God-speed, 
so they were not permitted to leave until the city's 
great heart found expression by a popular clergy- 
man's craving Divine protection for its gallant 
youth, and Ex-Governor John Henry Clifford had 
eloquently bade a final farewell with thrilling as- 
surances of civic pride and neighborly love, pledg- 
ing the united support of the entire community. 
Then to the inspiring music of its own band the 
company marched to Fairhaven ferry, accompanied 

13 



194 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

by such an enthusiastic crowd as never before had 
been seen in the city. Owing to the extraordinary 
duties imposed upon the railroads which interfered 
somewhat with the regular schedules, the company 
did not reach Boston until noon. It was quartered 
temporarily near the Old Colony depot, and that 
night through the courtesy of the New England 
Guards, slept in their quarters over the Boylston 
Market. Lieutenant Porter then returned to New 
Bedford. 

The next day (Wednesday, the 17th) Lieutenant 
Barton joined the company in Boston. In the af- 
ternoon Company L marched to the State House, re- 
ceived its colors, and was addressed by Governor 
John A. Andrew, and then amid the most enthusi- 
astic demonstrations of the excited populace, pro- 
ceeded to Long Wharf, where it embarked on the 
steamship S. R. Spaulding, which dropped down 
the harbor awaiting supplies. While at anchor 
down the bay on the 18th of April, a boat came 
alongside and a young man climbed over the side, 
who stated that he wanted to enlist. He was rec- 
ognized instantly by Lieutenant Cushman as Ed- 
ward L. Pierce, a former college mate, and was at 
once enrolled in Company L. At Fortress Monroe, 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 195 

as soon as ''contrabands" came flocking around the 
fort for protection, he was assigned to the congen- 
ial duty of caring for their welfare, and proved a 
most useful acquisition. At the end of his duty at 
Fortress Monroe he was appointed to perforin sim- 
ilar service at Port Royal, South Carolina, and dur- 
ing the war aided materially in developing the for- 
mer slaves of the South into defenders of the Union 
and useful citizens. 

On arrival at Fortress Monroe Company L effi- 
ciently performed every duty to which it was as- 
signed, although its costly uniforms were quickly 
ruined by the mounting of heavy guns, and the 
handling of immense quantities of quartermaster's 
supplies, besides the ordinary routine of military 
duty. From the company many were detailed for 
duty at post headquarters, scouting, and unusual 
guard duty. Captain Ingraham, who had been com- 
pelled by sickness to return on the tug-boat, April 
18th, and Lieutenant Porter, accompanied by sev- 
eral recruits reached Fortress Monroe on May 5th, 
the former resumed command, but Lieutenant Por- 
ter (the fourth lieutenant), being supernumerary 
under the army regulations, was with the recruits 
mustered into Company K. July 22d the regiment 



190 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MxiSSACHUSETTS 

was mustered out of the service of the United 
States. 

On the return of the company to New Bedford at 
the end of its tour of service, it received a popular 
ovation, and was heartily welcomed home. Many of 
its members served subsequently as officers in regi- 
ments which were formed during the war. The 
state finally reimbursed the Guards for their ruined 
uniforms. 



Corrected Roster of Company E to March 31, 1905. 

[The first figures indicate age at enlistment: the city and town, the 
place of enlistnaent.] 

John A. Hawes, Captain; 29; Fairhaven. Dead. 

William E. Mason, First Lieutenant; 35; New^ 
Bedford. Resides at 118 Acushnet Ave., New Bed- 
ford. Died May 24, 1905. 

James L. Sharp, Second Lieutenant; 33; New 
Bedford. Dead. 

David A. Butler^ First Sergeant; 25; New Bed- 
ford. Carpenter for many years. Chief of New 
Bedford police force. Elected colonel First Regi- 
ment Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, 1888; re- 
signed. Died in New Bedford, Feb. 6, 1906. Widow 
and adopted child living. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 197 

Charles H. Tobey, Sergeant; 23; New Bedford. 
Captain in Fifty-eiglitli Regiment. Superintendent 
of Star Mills, Middleboro, for many years. Ship- 
per in Leonard's Shoe Factory. Resides in Middle- 
boro. 

James C. Hitch, Sergeant; 25; New Bedford. 
Dead. 

Isaac H. Jennings, Sergeant; 27; New Bedford. 
Commissioned captain after nine months' service. 
Dead. 

Joseph E. Nye, Sergeant; 24; New Bedford. Pro- 
moted to sergeant-major, May 29, 1863. Dead. 

John H. M. Babcock, Corporal; 30; New Bed- 
ford. Dead. 

Francis Herlby, Corporal; 33; New Bedford. 
Dead. 

George R. Paddock, Corporal; 27; New Bedford. 
Dead. 

Alexander M. Brownell, Corporal ; 20 ; New 
Bedford. Detective in Richmond, Va. 

Frank H. Kempton, Corporal ; 19 ; New Bedford. 
Captain in Fifty-eighth Regiment. Clerk in Provi- 
dence. Resides in Providence, R. I. 

Henry H. Potter, Corporal; 21; New Bedford. 
Captain of New Bedford City Guards. Dead. 



198 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Franklin K. S. Nye, Corporal ; 23 ; New Bedford. 
Residence, Soldiers Home, Hampton, Va. 

Sylvester 0. Spooner^ Corporal ; 23 ; New Bed- 
ford. In the clothing business, Millbury, Mass. 

Stephen P. Sawyer, Musician; 34; New Bedford. 
In the fine ware business in New Bedford. 

Charles G. Allen^ Musician ; 14 ; New Bedford. 
Motorman on electric cars in New Bedford. 

Henry C. Baker^ Wagoner; 25; New Bedford. 
Baker. Resides in Fall River. 

Privates. 

Allen, Thomas L. ; 23; New Bedford. Steward, 
Astor House, New York. 

Allen^ Albert M. ; 20 ; Westport. Dead. 

Angell^ William H. ; 19 ; New Bedford. Dead. 

Bly, William L. ; 21 ; New Bedford. Retired 
merchant. Returned to New Bedford at the close 
of the war. Resides in Medford. 

Briggs^ Charles H. ; 19 ; New Bedford. Clerk in 
a furniture store. 

Brayton, Charles F. ; 20; New Bedford. Inva- 
lid, lives in New Bedford. 

Brown% Jacob; 36; New Bedford. Dead. 

Barker, William T.; 25; New Bedford. Dead. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 199 

BuLLARD, Amasa; 45; New Bedford. Dead. 

Briggs, Leonard; 33; New Bedford. Dead. 

CoGGSHALL, George ; 19; New Bedford. Clerk. 
Lives in New York. 

Crapo, Philip M. ; 19; New Bedford. Sailor. 
Died in Iowa. 

Christian, Stephen E. ; 19 ; New Bedford. Killed 
in battle June 18, 1864, while in action in the Fifty- 
eighth Regiment. 

Chadwick, Isaac; 47; New Bedford. Retired 
whaling master. Dead. 

CovELL, Benjamin B., Jr. ; 24 ; New Bedford. 
Dead. 

Cushman, Frederick E. ; 19 ; New Bedford. 
Served in the Fiftj^-eighth Regiment. Attorney-at- 
law. Resides in Austin, Texas. 

Chapman, Edward T. ; 19; New Bedford. Served 
in the Fifty-eighth Regiment and lost his arm June 
2, 1864, while on skirmish duty. Dead. 

Crane, Charles F. ; 18; New Bedford. Died in 
Newbern, North Carolina, Jan. 29, 1863. Was com- 
plimented by General Foster during inspection for 
soldierly bearing and neatness. 

Dexter, Luke; 30; New Bedford. Dead. 

Davis, George H. ; 20 ; New Bedford. Dead. 



200 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Dedrick, Charles M. ; 29; New Bedford. Lives 
in New Bedford. 

Dexter, Thomas D. ; 22 ; New Bedford. Carriage 
painter in Mattapoisett. 

Forbes, Charles H.; 20; New Bedford. Dead. 

FoLGBR^ Reuben C. ; 21; New Bedford; Mason. 
Lives in New Bedford. 

Grinnell, Enoch N. ; 22; Policeman in Lowell, 
Mass. 

GiFFORD^ Thomas J. ; 22 ; New Bedford ; Plum- 
ber. Lives in New Bedford. Re-enlisted in ninety 
days' service. 

HowE^ William W. ; 22; New Bedford. Dead. 

Hitch, Alfred G. ; 22; New Bedford. Dead. 

Haffords, Joseph T. ; 21; New Bedford. Dead. 

Hathaway, Savory C; 25; New Bedford. Dead. 

Hathaway, James S. ; 30; New Bedford. Car- 
riage manufacturer in New Bedford. 

Hargraves, John; 36; New Bedford. Dead. 

Hanover, Walter; 28; New Bedford. Dead. 

Hiller, Alfred; 19; New Bedford. Lawyer. 
Lives in Nebraska. 

HussEY, Thomas; 19; New Bedford. Workman 
in a shoe factory in New Bedford, Mass. 

HowxVrd, Abner L. ; 23; New Bedford. Dead. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 



201 



Hatch, William W.; 23; New Bedford. Served 
in the Fifty-eighth Regiment. Dead. 

Handy, George F.; 19; New Bedford. Resides in 
Rutland, Mass. 

Hall, Gilbert N.; 22; New Bedford. Retired 
merchant. Lives in New Bedford. 

HowLAND, Nicholas E.; 19; New Bedford. Re- 
enlisted in Company C, Fifty-eighth Regiment; 
wounded and discharged. Expressman in New 
Bedford. 

HowLAND, Charles H.; 25; New Bedford. Lives 
near Boston. 

Hudson, Jack ; 22 ; New Bedford. Blacksmith in 
Chicago. 

Jenkins, George W.; 21; New Bedford. Re-en- 
listed as sergeant in the Fifty-eighth Regiment and 
wounded in battle June 16, 1864. Lives in Maiden, 
Mass. 

Jackson, William M. ; 32; New Bedford. De- 
serted Oct. 20, 1862, immediately after bounty was 
received. 

Kelley, Joseph H. A.; 23; New Bedford. Dead. 
Leach, William H. H.; 23; New Bedford. Drum- 
mer. Lives in New Bedford. 

Lawrence, William; 43; New Bedford. Dead. 



202 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

LovEJOY, Amos F. ; 43 ; New Bedford. Discharged 
for disability April 24, 1863. Carpenter. Lives in 
New Bedford (Wamsutta Mills). 

Mann^ William M.; 25; New Bedford. Dead. 

Mann, John E.; 19; New Bedford. Works in a 
shoe factory, Brockton, Mass. 

Munrob^ Joseph V. G. ; 31 ; New Bedford. Dead. 

Mendall^ Charles W. ; 22; New Bedford. Dead. 

Maxpield, Frederick F. ; 22 ; Clerk. Lives in 
New Bedford. 

Manchester^ John B. ; 28 ; New Bedford. 
Keeper of the police station, New Bedford. 

Mosher_, John M.; 23; New Bedford. Lives in 
Natick, Mass. 

Negus^ Charles H. ; 28; New Bedford. Re-en- 
listed in Company E, Fiftv-eighth Regiment. Dead. 

Paiser^ Jacob; 23; New Bedford. Dead. 

Potter, Simeon W. ; 23; New Bedford. Dead. 

Purrington, Philip B. ; 23 ; New Bedford. Dead. 

Pierce, John W. ; 20; New Bedford. Discharged 
for disability, March 12, 1863. 

RiGBY^ Samuel; 19; New Bedford. Dead. 

RoBBiNS, Thomas C. ; 21; New Bedford. Letter 
carrier. New Bedford. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 203 

KiCE, Adoniram J. ; 28 ; New Bedford. Black- 
smith in New Bedford. 

Keynolds^ William F. ; New Bedford. Work- 
man. Lives in Bourne, Mass. 

Richards^ William D.; 23; New Bedford. Keeps 
a livery stable in New Bedford. 

SouLE^ RuFus A.; 24; New Bedford. Member of 
the legislature. Speaker of the Senate. Senior 
partner of the firm of Hathaway, Soule & Harring- 
ton, shoe manufacturers in New Bedford and Mid- 
dleboro. A man of staunch character and influ- 
ence in New Bedford, where he resides. 

Spooner^ Samuel H.; 23; New Bedford. Dead. 

Simmons, Charles H. ; 22; New Bedford. Book- 
keeper in Express Office, New Bedford. 

Saddler^ William G. ; 28 ; New Bedford. Inva- 
lid, lives in New Bedford. 

SwiFT_, Leander; 24; New Bedford. Dead. 

Tabor, Lyman G. ; 19; New Bedford. Dead. 

ToPHAMS, Philip M.; 24; New Bedford. Un- 
known. 

Tripp, Thomas G. C. ; 30; New Bedford. Dead. 

Tripp, Daniel H.; 30; Westport. Blacksmith. 
Dead. 

Tripp, Edwin C. ; 22 ; New Bedford. Dead. 



204 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

TucKERMAN^ RoBERT^ Jr. ; 31; New Bedford. Dis- 
charged for disability, Oct. 28, 1862. Dead. 

Wilkinson^ William; 32; New Bedford. Lives 
in Alabama. 

Wilcox^ Henry P.; 22; New Bedford. Lives in 
Indianapolis, Ind. 

Washburn^ William H. ; 19 ; New Bedford. Died 
in New Bedford, Feb. 14, 1906. 

WooD^ Thomas F. ; 19; New Bedford. Member 
of the firm of Wood, Brightman & Co., New Bed- 
ford. 

Watson^ Samuel J.; 19; New Bedford. Re-en- 
listed as second lieutenant in the Fifty-eighth Regi- 
ment and taken prisoner in the Battle of the Crater, 
July 30, 1864. Died on parole in New Bedford. 




Capt. GEORGE R. HURLBURT. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 20o 



CHAPTER IX. 

Company F, Third Regiment, Massachusetts Vol- 
unteer Militia. 

[Written by F. P. Vincent, Edgartown.] 

This company, which was recruited in New Bed- 
ford, was composed of men from New Bedford, 
Dartmouth, Edgartown, Westport, and Acushnet. 
Several of the men from New Bedford were sailors, 
and after returning from their nine months' service 
either enlisted in the navy or went to sea. Several 
such never returned again to America; they were 
what are known as "roving characters." We would 
say, however, that, many of this company re-enlisted 
and served until the end of the war. 

Captain Hurlburt and his lieutenants recruited 
the company, and were elected as its commissioned 
officers. No one ever had cause to regret the choice 
made. They were bold, true officers, and the non- 
commissioned officers also were as true and faithful 
as any company could wish. Captain Hurlburt, 
whether seen on horse or on foot, was an officer of 
which no company need be ashamed. He was of 



206 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

good build, and quick to learn the evolutions of the 
company, whether on company, battalion, or bri- 
gade drill. His men believed in him, and I think 
would have followed him anywhere he might lead. 
In evidence of his standing as a military officer, I 
have only to refer to an order from his brigade com- 
mander, just before leaving for home. 

Headquarters Jourdan's Brigade, 

Eighteenth Army Corps, 
Newberx, K C, June 10, 1863. 
Captain : Inasmuch as the term of enlistment of the Third 
Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia is about to expire, 
I cannot permit you to go to your home and its endearment 
without some slight recognition of your valuable services as a 
commanding officer, and it is with pleasure that I call the 
attention of yonr friends at home and abroad to your splendid 
company, for there is the proof of your ability as an officer. 
With kind regards for your future happiness, believe me to be. 

Respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. JOURDAN, 
Colonel Commanding Brigade. 

Before the war Captain Hurlburt pursued the 
business of a ship carpenter in New Bedford, was 
for some time deputy sheriff of Bristol County, in 
which latter position he remained four years. Af- 




Sergt. PATRICK CANNAVAX. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 207 

ter being mustered out he raised a eompauy of cav- 
alry and was captain of the same. After the war 
he was manager of a hotel in Hartford for seven- 
teen years. Failing health caused him to seek the 
quiet of a home at the Vineyard, where he died in 
1900, at the age of eighty-two years. 

First Lieut. William H. Allen was in the harness 
making business for years, and later was known in 
New Bedford as the popular "piano tuner and re- 
pairer." He died in New Bedford in 1892, and was 
buried with military honors. 

Second Lieut. Jonathan W. Davis was detailed 
for signal corps service during his nine months' 
campaign. He returned with his company and for 
many years was bookkeeper at the Parker House, 
New Bedford. He died in New Bedford, in 1898, 
and was buried in the family cemetery. 

But few, if any company in the Third Regiment, 
could boast of so proficient an orderly sergeant as 
Sergeant Cannavan, of Company F. From 1855 to 
1860 he was in her Majesty Queen Victoria's army ; 
he saw much hard fighting in the Crimean War and 
was honored with two medals for his bravery at 
that time. After his return from his nine months' 
service for Uncle Sam, like a true soldier he en- 



208 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

gaged ill such business as he conld command. He 
recruited for the armj and drilled both men and 
ofiScers. At one time it looked as though he would 
receive a commission in the heavy artillery with 
Captain James L. Wilber, with whom he had spent 
several weeks of recruiting, but Captain Wilbur 
was ordered to consolidate his company with a por- 
tion of a company near Boston. Sergeant Canna- 
van was offered the sergeancy in the company but 
declined. Being determined to see more active ser- 
vice, he went with his former captain, George R. 
Hurlburt in Company B, Fourth Massachusetts 
Cavalry. This time he enlisted as a private, all the 
sergeants' places being filled. Soon he w^as made 
sergeant and sent with a company to Hilton Head, 
Florida, where he was ordered to drill officers, both 
commissioned and non-commissioned. On the 
morning following Sergeant Cannavan's promotion. 
First Sergeant Ashley went to the hospital, and, as 
he never returned to the company, Sergeant Canna- 
vau performed the duties of that officer. 

Sergeant Cannavan distinguished himself during 
an engagement at Gainesville, Florida, on the ITth 
of August, 1864. In the absence of his superior of- 
ficer he led his company in a desperate sabre charge, 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 209 

thus saving his comrades in the rear from capture 
by the rebel cavalry, who outnumbered his cavalry 
two to one. For this act of bravery he was commis- 
sioned Second Lieutenant in Company A, Fourth 
Cavalry. In this engagement he was unhorsed, his 
carbine shot away by a rebel bullet which destroyed 
the hook holding the carbine to the belt, and he re- 
ceived a slight wound. Seven days later Sergeant 
Cannavan with a few of his men reached the main 
command, and when they rode into camp the com- 
pany thought these men must have come from the 
dead. Two months after this battle he was pro- 
moted to First Lieutenant Fourth Cavalry, Com- 
pany B. After the surrender of Lee Lieutenant 
Cannavan was detailed to flag all trains going from 
Eichmond to see if there were any deserters on 
board. He also had the supervision of families go- 
ing from Richmond to their old plantations, some- 
times going as many as forty miles into the interior. 
Returning home in the latter part of November, 
1865, he engaged in the grocery business. In 1875 
Mr. Cannavan w^as appointed assistant city mar- 
shal, which oflSce he occupied for two years. In 
1878 he was for the second time appointed on the 
police force, in which capacity he has served the 

14 



210 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

City of New Bedford continuously since that time, 
viz., thirty years. During all these years he has 
never met the man whom he could not handle alone, 
and in some instances he has had some pretty hard 
cases with crazy drunks, but in no instance has he 
cracked a skull or broken flesh with his policeman's 
club. He is honored and respected by all the citi- 
zens of New Bedford. Even the rough classes yield 
when Cannavan is known to be after them. Now 
in the sixty-eighth year of his age he is hale and 
happy. He has never indulged in the ardent and 
never used tobacco. He spends his spare time with 
his family reading instructive books. He is held in 
high esteem by all the children of his patrol, for he 
always carries strings for tops, and marbles in his 
pockets for the little ones. 

The city honored him in 1905 by making him 
chief marshal on Memorial Day. Taking all in all 
we believe we make no mistake in writing so ex- 
tended a history of this remarkable man, of whom 
in our long acquaintance we have heard only good 
things. In the near future he expects to receive a 
medal of honor from this government for merito- 
rious service rendered during the War of the Rebel- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 



211 



lion. His address is 427 North Cliauncy Street, 
New Bedford, Mass. 

These officers are but samples of the whole com- 
pany. They w^ere good fighters because they were 
well drilled; they were good soldiers because they 
were well disciplined; they are (those still living) 
good citizens, because they were good patriots ; they 
have succeeded and made their mark in the world 
because the spirit of success is in them. Good offi- 
cers make good soldiers, good soldiers make good 
citizens, and good citizens make a good country. 
Is it asked, "Where are the men who made the rank 
and file of Company F?" the answer comes, "Many 
have joined the great majority, who as young men 
responded to their country's call in the hour of 
need." They did their work well; peace to their 
ashes. A great and mighty Nation is reaping the 
fruits of their toil, and the haughty South has been 
brought back, not the raging maniac she was in '61, 
but, cured of the past, she sits at the feet of Uncle 
Sam, "clothed and in her right mind." 

" God of the nations, be with us yet, 

Lest we forget, lest we forget." 
Lest we forget what war has cost. 

When we our greatness loudly boast. 
Lest we forget our noble sons, 

Who died to hold our nation one. 



212 history of the third massachusetts 
Corrected Koster op Company F, New Bedford. 

[By F. p. Vincent and Sergt. Patrick Cannavan.] 

[The first figures indicate the age at enlistment : the city and town, 

the place of enlistment.] 

George H. Hurlburt, Captain; 38; New Bedford. 
Died in 1900. 

William H. Allen, First Lieutenant; 25; New 
Bedford. Died in 1892. 

Jonathan W. Davis, Second Lieutenant; 25; 
New Bedford. Died in 1898. 

Patrick Cannavan, First Sergeant; 25; New 
Bedford. Lives in New Bedford. 

James H. Williams, Sergeant; 26; Dartmouth. 
Photographer, Nantucket Beach. 

Frederick A. Plummer, Sergeant; 29; New Bed- 
ford. Dead. 

Joseph C. Brotherson, Sergeant; 21; New Bed- 
ford. Re-enlisted in Company B, Fourth Massachu- 
setts Cavalry. Promoted captain of Company D, 
April, 1865. Died with the United States Civil P^n- 
gineers out West in 1900. 

Charles H. Walker, Sergeant; 40; New Bed- 
ford. Dead. 

Charles A. Gould, Corporal; 27; New Bedford. 
In the New York Custom House, New York. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. '^^Vd 

James Smith, Corporal; 31; Edgartown. Mason 
by trade. Contractor in Boston. 

Zacheus H. Wright, Corporal; 32; Acushnet. 
Carpenter. Dead. 

Andrew Dexter, Corporal; 28; New Bedford. 
Lives in Ohio. 

John H. Ricketson, Corporal; 26; Dartmouth. 
Re-enlisted in Company B, Fourth Cavalry. Died 
in Dartmouth. 

Frederick Hoffman, Corporal; 26; New Bed- 
ford. Went to California and died in San Fran- 
cisco. 

Charles W. Cleveland, Corporal; 32; Edgar- 
town. Went to sea; mate of whaling vessel. Died 
in New Bedford. 

Henry Kohn, Corporal; 19; New Bedford. Lives 
in New York City. 

Francis P. Vincent, Chief Bugler; 30; Edgar- 
town. Postmaster, Cottage City, Mass. One of the 
leading men of the town. 

James Western, Wagoner; 27; New Bedford. 
Died in 1867. 

Privates. 

BooTH^ Nathaniel A.; 18; New Bedford. Died 
in New Bedford in 1870. * 



214 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

BuRNS^ James A.; 35; New Bedford. Dead. 

Bessie^ George A.; 19; Dartmouth. Sailor. Un- 
known. 

Brightman^ John H. ; 40 ; Westport. Fisherman. 
Died in Westport, Mass. 

Burke, William ; 30 ; New Bedford. Weaver. 
Lives in Fall River. 

Brannan^ Patrick; 18; New Bedford. Dead. 

BuswELL^ James E.; 28; Edgartown. Dead. 

Barrett^ John ; 29 ; New Bedford. Supposed to 
be living in New Hampshire. Farmer. 

Beatle^ Edward E.; 22; Edgartown. Unknown. 

Clark, Patrick; 31; New Bedford. Went to Fall 
River. Unknown. 

Card, Benjamin F. ; 19; New Bedford. Died in 
New Bedford, February, 1905. Painter and store- 
keeper until he died. 

Chase^ Alvah H. ; 23; Dartmouth. Farmer. 
Lives in Middleboro. 

Clark^ Henry E. ; 27 ; Dartmouth. Dead. Leaves 
a widow living in Hicksville. 

Gushing^ William B.; 18; Acushnet. Dead. 

Cornell^ Solomon; 32; Dartmouth. Lives in 
South Dartmouth. 

Cameron^ John ; 21 ; Berkley. Unknown. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 



215 



DuRFEE, George L. ; 18 ; New Bedford. Carpen- 
ter. Lives in New Bedford. 

Donovan, James; 20; New Bedford. Inspector 
ot cars. Killed on railroad. 

DeKay, Kichard; 21; Dartmouth. Deserted 
Oct. 3, 1862. 

Davis, George W. ; 19 ; New Bedford. Re-enlisted 
in Third Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, Company 
F. Carpenter. Lives in North Dartmouth. 

Fisher, John P.; 20; Edgartown. Dead. 

Foster, Daniel O. ; 26 ; Warren, R. I. Re-enlisted 
as sergeant in Fourth Cavalry. Dead. 

Gifpord, James B.; 21; Westport. 

GiFFORD, Abram; 18; Westport. Re-enlisted in 
ninety days' regiment. Carpenter and surveyor. 
Lives in New Bedford. 

GiFFORD, Levi K. ; 22; Dartmouth. Dead. 

Gordon, John; 22; New Bedford. Discharged 
March 21, 1863, for disability. Dead. 

Gammons, Charles W.; 18; Dartmouth. Dis- 
charged March 24, 1863, for disability. Dead. 

Graves, Perry; 33; New Bedford. Re-enlisted 
in Capt. Allen's Company Heavy Artillery stationed 
at New Bedford and Washington, D. C. Dead. 

Hammond, Henry; 38; New Bedford. Dead. 



216 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Holmes^ Samuel B. ; 30; New Bedford. Dead. 

Hathaway, George W. ; 28; New Bedford. Died 
in New Bedford, Nov. 14, 1905. 

Hoffman, William; 29; New Bedford. Re-en- 
listed in Fourth Cavalry. Died in Boston, 1901. 

Holmes, Joseph B.; 18; New Bedford. Re-en- 
listed and was commissioned second lieutenant in 
a colored regiment. Sash and blind manufacturer. 
Lives in Providence, R. I. 

HowLAND, Abram H. ; 19; New Bedford. Lives 
in New Bedford. 

Hamer, William ; 35 ; New Bedford. Dead. 

Jenkins, George; 25; New Bedford. Went to 
California. Unknown. 

Janney, William A.; 36; New Bedford. Re-en- 
listed as sergeant in Fourth Cavalry. Died in New 
Bedford. 

Kenner, Henry G. ; 27; Dartmouth. Supposed 
t be living in Maryland. 

LuscoMB, Abram R. ; 23 ; New Bedford. Dead. 

Lakey, Thomas; 20; New Bedford. Drummer. 
Dead. 

Lawton, Joseph M. ; 33; Dartmouth; Painter. 
Lives in New Bedford. 

Lewis, Henry S.; 23; Dartmouth. For many 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. ^1^ 

years overseer in a cotton mill in New Bedford. 
Died in 1900. 

Mitchell, John S.; 39; New Bedford. Died at 
sea. 

Mason, Humphrey S.; 27; New Bedford. Dead. 

Macomber, Lyman A.; 18; Dartmouth. Lives in 
Providence, R. I. 

Macomber, Alden T.; 30; Dartmouth. Died 
April 21, 1863. 

MosHER, Frederick P. ; 28 ; New Bedford. Dead. 

MuspRATT, John; 20; New Bedford. Lives in 
New Bedford on Sixth Street. 

Oliver, Horatio G., Jr.; 23; New Bedford. Re- 
enlisted as sergeant in Fourth Cavalry, was 
Vvounded and captured. Died in prison. 

Oliver, Charles H.; 31; New Bedford. Re-en- 
listed in Fourth Cavalry as sergeant. Died in Salis- 
bury Prison. 

Orne, George; 42; New Bedford. Died in Bos- 
ton Hospital, Jan. 3, 1863. 

Plummer, Horace M.; 22; New Bedford. In 
post office, New Bedford. 

Peckham, Samuel G.; 29; Dartmouth. Died in 
New Bedford. 



218 HISTORY OP THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Peck, William B.; Dartmouth. Died at Smith 
Mills, Mass. 

Pierce, Alexander O. ; 26; Acushnet. Painter. 
Died Dec. 20, 1905. 

Peckham, John B.; 21; Dartmouth. Dead. 

Potter, Thomas, Jr.; 40; Acushnet. Dead. 

Quick, James S.; 20; New Bedford. Went to 
Michigan. Supposed to be living. 

Rodman, Samuel J.; 20; New Bedford. Carpen- 
ter. Lives in New Bedford. 

Ryan, Edward; 19; New Bedford. Dead. 

Ryder, David; 44; Dartmouth. Re-enlisted in 
Fourth Cavalry, captured and died in a rebel 
prison. 

Ripley, Joseph A.; 21; Edgartown. Contractor 
in Providence, R. I. Member of Prescott Post, No. 
1, G. A. R. 

Stowell, Columbus, 44; New Bedford. Re-en- 
listed in Fourth Cavalry, taken prisoner and died 
in rebel prison. 

SouLE, Edwin P.; 24; New Bedford. Special po- 
lice in New Bedford. 

Smith, John W. ; 18; New Bedford. After the 
war went to Illinois. Resides in Chicago. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 219 

Stiles, James; 26; New Bedford. Lives in Nan- 
tucket. 

Sanford, Leonard M.; 22; New Bedford. Lives 
ixi Westport, Mass. 

Shea^ Matthew; 26; New Bedford. Soldier of 
Crimean War. Supposed to be living in Attleboro. 

Shaw, Charles H.; 30; New Bedford. Dead. 

Stephens^ William H.; 22; Dartmouth. Re-en- 
listed in Fourth Cavalry. Died in New Bedford. 

Spooner^ Joseph S. ; 36; Acushnet. Supposed to 
be dead. 

Tripp, Philip M. ; 23 ; New Bedford. In the job- 
bing business. Died June 29, 1906. 

Teachman, Sidney M.; 18; New Bedford. Dead. 

Webb, William H. ; 24 ; New Bedford. Unknown. 

Wilson, James ; 31 ; New Bedford. Resided many 
years in New Bedford on Ash Street. Died March 
5, 1906. 

Welch, William H. ; 25; New Bedford. Re-en- 
listed in Heavy Artillery. Died in hospital, Bos- 
ton. 

Wady, William I.; 19; Dartmouth. Went to sea. 
Unknown. 



'2'I0 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

WoRDELL, Andrew L. ; 19; Dartmouth. Re-en- 
listed in Fourth Cavalry. Died in prison in South 
Carolina. 

Worth, Jethro; 25; Edgartown. Went into 
Navy; officer. Dead. 

Wilbur^ Joseph H. ; 19; Edgartown. Painter. 
Vineyard Haven. 

Wood, George H. ; 19; Dartmouth. Went to sea; 
returned, and is now* living on a farm in Westport 
with his twin brother. Both are bachelors and pos- 
sess quite a handsome property. 



y 


1 






1 




^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^1 


■■Bjtt-. '"^'^I 





' ^^K 




^ 



Capt. WILLIAM S. COBB 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 221 

CHAPTER X. 

Company G, Third Kegiment Massachusetts Vol- 
unteer Militia. 

This company was recruited by its captain, Wil- 
liam S. Cobb; first lieutenant, Henry W. Briggs; 
and second lieutenant, James L. Wilber. In the 
days of 1862 in passing City Hall, New Bedford, 
one might notice four tents on the north side of the 
hall. In these four tents companies were being re- 
cruited, viz., Companies E, F, and G, and another 
company which was being recruited by Major Cush- 
man. In six weeks the recruiting was accom- 
plished, and Companies E, F, and G, went into 
Camp Joe Hooker, Lakeville, Mass., and were made 
a part of the Third Regiment. To say that there 
was no rivalry in this recruiting would be far from 
the truth, but as each man had his choice of the 
four companies the officer who could show the 
greatest advantages succeeded soonest in getting 
his company filled. 

William Cobb who went as captain of Company 
G was for several years in the outfitting business 
in New Bedford and was well known by a large cir- 
cle of admiring friends, and, being at one time city 
marshal, he enjoyed the right of way in recruiting 



222 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

his company. He never lost his hold on his men, 
nor his popularity as commanding officer. His men 
never failed of getting their rations of every sort. 
He was a kind, considerate officer, and loved his 
men as though they were his own sons. After the 
war he was for many years high sheriff of Bristol 
County, in which place he performed his duties ac- 
ceptably, without fear or trembling, neither was he 
a slave to any political party. His shibboleth was 
duty before pleasure. 

First Lieut. Henry W. Briggs was a faithful offi- 
cer during his term of service, and after the war 
was a contractor and builder in New Bedford for 
a number of years. He was a good, honest man, 
and those who intrusted their interests to him had 
no cause to regret or to find fault with the work. 

Second Lieut. James L. Wilber was not only a 
faithful officer, but after serving nine months in the 
Third he recruited part of a company for the Heavy 
Artillery, was commissioned captain of the same, 
and went to North Carolina, where he did good ser- 
vice. After the close of the war Captain Wilber 
was elected on the police force, in which position he 
served as deputy of the day force. He was an able 
officer, and was respected by all the citizens of New 
Bedford where he resided. After thirty-two years 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 223 

a police officer he died July 23, 1905, and was buried 
with G. A. R. honors. 

The make up of Company G were mechanics, and, 
on returning home, their services were in such de- 
mand that but few of them comparatively re-en- 
listed for the second time. They were nearly all 
New Bedford and Dartmouth men, and as the world 
goes they were a fine set of fellows. Like all others 
of the companies of the Third Regiment, more than 
fifty per cent, of this company have answered the 
last roll call, while their relatives are reaping the 
benefits of their sacrifice and toil in the Southland. 
Some of those still living have gone to distant parts 
never to return. So far as known they have all 
been good citizens, while many of them have made 
their mark in the world of finance, and are well to 
do business men. 



Corrected Roster of Company G, New Bedford. 

[The first figures indicate the age at enlistment : the city and town, the 
place of enlistment.] 

[Corrected by Capt. James L. Wilder, Samuel S. Broadbent, 
AND Lieut. Patrick Cannavan.] 

William S. Cobb, Captain; 43; New Bedford. 
Dead. 



224 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Henry W. Briggs, First Lieutenant; 33; New 
Bedford. Dead. 

James L. Wilber, Second Lieutenant; 28; New 
Bedford. Died in New Bedford, July 23, 1905. 

Charles West, First Sergeant; 30; New Bed- 
ford. Dead. 

William F. Chace, Sergeant; 28; New Bedford. 
Dead. 

John W. Look, Sergeant ; 30 ; New Bedford. Car- 
penter. Lives in Marion. 

Abel Soule^ Jr., Sergeant; 34; New Bedford, 
Ship Carpenter. Lives in New Bedford. 

KoLAND W. Snow, Sergeant; 29; New Bedford, 
Dead. 

Simeon Webb, Corporal ; 36 ; New Bedford. 
Dead. 

Thomas F. Hammond, Corporal; 21; New Bed- 
ford. Dead. 

William G. Dunham; Corporal; 28; New Bed- 
ford. Letter Carrier, New Bedford. 

Andrew Porter, Corporal ; 29 ; New Bedford. 
Dead. 

William Eldridge, Corporal; New Bedford. 
Dead. 

John L. Flynn, Corporal ; 32 ; New Bedford. 
Dead. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 



225 



George W. Perry, Corporal; 38; New Bedford. 
Carpenter. Resides in New Bedford. 

Ira p. Tripp, Corporal ; 34 ; New Bedford. Sales- 
man in store corner of Union and Sixth Streets, 
New Bedford. 

Privates. 

Allen, Joseph H. ; 21; New Bedford. Supposed 
to be living in Brockton. 

Allen, George F. ; 22; New Bedford. Unknown. 

Alger, Charles, Jr.; 18; New Bedford. Re-en- 
listed. Unknown. 

Atchison, Martin; 18; New Bedford. Re-en- 
listed in Fourth Cavalry. Lives in Colorado. 

Albro, Alfred; 21; Dartmouth. Unknown. 

Akin, Charles R. ; 37; New Bedford. Served in 
Fourth Cavalry. Dead. 

Atwood, Luther; 88; New Bedford. Deserted 
Oct. 22, 1862. Dead. 

Bacon, David B.; 81; New Bedford. Dead. 

Bearse, Zachariah S. ; 21; New Bedford. Un- 
known. 

Besse, Daniel; 84; New Bedford. Dead. 

Bowman, Joseph B.; 42; New Bedford. Dead. 

Boling, John M. ; 27; New Bedford. Unknown. 

15 



226 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Bliss^ Charles; 36; New Bedford. Dead. 

BoLLES^ James C. ; 20 ; New Bedford. Lives in 
California. 

BuRDicK^ Benjamin F. ; 27; New Bedford. Lives 
at Nantucket. 

Bradley^ David; 28; New Bedford. Dead. 

Carroll^ James N. ; 18 ; New Bedford. Unknown. 

Collins^ James; 21; New Bedford. LTnknown. 

Chase, Collins ; 30 ; New Bedford. Wheel- 
wright. Lives in New Brunswick. 

CoBB^ William S., Jr. ; 21 ; New Bedford. Dead. 

Connolly^ James; 30; New Bedford. Unknown. 

Chase^ William H. ; 40; New Bedford. Un- 
known. 

Croy^ William D.; 22; Dartmouth. Discharged 
May 30, 1863, to re-enlist. Unknown. 

Clark^ James; 26; New Bedford. Discharged 
May 30, 1863, to re-enlist. Unknown. 

Davis^ James A.; 26; New Bedford. Dead. 

Dunham, Thomas S. ; 18; New Bedford. Dead. 

Durpee^, Benjamin; 18; New Bedford. Went to 
California. Unknown. 

Dexter, Ezra F. ; 43; New Bedford. Lives near 
Boston. 

Edwards, John; 29; New Bedford. Dead. 

Flahaven, John; 28; New Bedford. Unknown. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 227 

French, John F.; 27; New Bedford. Unknown. 

Fleet, James; 33; New Bedford. Dead. 

Freeman, Josiah; 23; New Bedford. Lives at 
Nantucket. 

GiFFORD, William F.; 20; New Bedford. Dead. 

GiFFORD, Samuel T. ; 30 ; New Bedford. Dead. 

GiFFORD, Charles C.; 18; New Bedford. Ser- 
geant of the police. Lives in New Bedford. 

Garlick, Keuben a. ; 19 ; Dartmouth. Unknown. 

Hazard, John F. ; 27 ; New Bedford. Dead. 

Haskins, William A.; 18; New Bedford. Un- 
known. 

Hathaway, Frederick A.; 18; New Bedford. 
Sailmaker. Lives in New Bedford. 

Harrington, Daniel; 23; New Bedford. De- 
serted Oct. 21, 1862. 

Jenny, Sanford, Jr.; 23; New Bedford. Dead. 

Joseph, William R. ; 19 ; New Bedford. Dead. 

King, Isaac; 44; New Bedford. Dead. 

Keene, Ebenezer S.; 20; New Bedford. Dead. 

King, Alfred C. ; 21; New Bedford. Unknown. 

Linehan, John; 37; New Bedford. Dead. 

Lewis, Benjamin F. ; 25; New Bedford. Dead. 

Look, Gilbert A.; 31; New Bedford. Dead. 

Long, George R.; 34; New Bedford. Dead. 



'2'2S HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Lyng^ William; 18; New Bedford. Laborer. 
Lives in New Brunswick. 

Mack^ Andrew N. ; 18; New Bedford. Dead. 

MosHER, Folder B. ; 36; New Bedford. Dead. 

IMosHER^ Caleb P.; 34; New Bedford. Dead. 

Matthews^ Barak E.; 41; New Bedford. Dead. 

McCanx^ Edward; 35; New Bedford. Dead. 

Maxfield, Charles H. ; 18; New Bedford. In 
clothing store. Lives in Providence, R. I. 

MoLTRAM;, John ; 29 ; New Bedford. Resides in 
Providence, R. I. 

Minor, Barney; 35; New Bedford. Deserted and 
discharged for disability. 

Norton, Francis; 35; Edgartowu. Dead. 

Paixe^ Hexry K. ; 25; New Bedford. Dead. 

Packard^ George F. ; 31 ; New Bedford. L^n- 
known. 

Parker^ George W. ; 22; New Bedford. Un- 
known. 

Perry^ Lymax C. ; 42; New Bedford. Dead. 

Pierce, Charles C; 21; Nev>' Bedford. Un- 
known. 

Pierce^ Charles H. ; 18; New Bedford. Dead. 

Parsoxs^ Lewis G.; 22; New Bedford. Dis- 
charged March 3, 1863, for disability. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 



i!29 



Pratt, Henry B. ; 21 ; New Bedford. Discharged 
March 19, 1863, for disability. 

Richards, Silas N. ; 20; New Bedford. Dead. 

Salisbury, Robert; 31; New Bedford. Unknown. 

Smith, Samuel D.; 43; New Bedford. Supposed 
io be dead. 

Smith, John S.; 44; New Bedford. Dead. 

SissoN, George F. ; 41 ; New Bedford. Unknown. 

Slocum, William; 19; New Bedford. Dead. 

Spooner, Samuel K.; 44; New Bedford. Dead. 

Taber, Cornelius G.; 32; New Bedford. Dead. 

Taber, Theodore A.; 21; New Bedford. Un- 
known. 

Taber, Daniel G.; 41; New Bedford. Unknown. 

Taylor, William W. ; 24; New Bedford. Dead. 

TiGHE, James D. ; 19; New Bedford. Unknown. 

Tripp, Sylvanus A.; 41; New Bedford. Sup- 
posed to be dead. 

Tripp, George H. W. ; 26; New Bedford. Dis- 
charged April 30, 1863, for disability. Dead. 

Tillinghast, William A.; 19; New Bedford. 
Fire Engine Driver. Dead. 

WiLKiE, David; 20; New Bedford. Unknown. 

Whitehead, Thomas; 41; New Bedford. Dead. 

Wilbur, Henry C; 21; Edgartown. Unknown. 



-•:50 HISTORY OP" THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 



CHAPTER XI. 

Company H, Third Massachusetts Volunteer 
Militia. 

[Written by William H. Luther, Member of Compajjy H.] 

[This is not claimed to be a perfect history, but it is believed to be as 
perfect a record as can be secured at this late date. When not otherwise 
indicated, the person is supposed to have been mustered out Avith his 
regiment.] 

The immediate cause for the raising of Company 
H was the call of President Lincoln for three hun- 
dred thousand men to put down the Rebellion, and 
the incentive was a bounty of two hundred dollars 
offered to every man who enlisted. The formation 
of a company from the towns of Rehoboth, Somer- 
set, Dighton, and Swansea, was a happy thought, 
as the quota called for from these four towns would 
make a full company. Meetings were held in each 
of these places and recruiting offices were opened. 
Nathaniel B. Horton was the recruiting officer for 
Rehoboth, Noah Chase for Dighton, William P. 
Hood for Somerset, and Allen Mason for Swansea. 
These four officers with their towns seemed to vie 
with each other in raising the required number, and 
so great was the enthusiasm that within a very 




Capt. OTIS A. BAKER 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. '^^1 

short time the company was full. Then came the 
question of a captain and two lieutenants. Somer- 
set having the largest number, was supposed to 
have the first choice to the captaincy, and the other 
three towns were to select the lieutenants and non- 
commissioned officers according to their best judg- 
ment. A Mr. Davis, of Somerset, was mentioned 
for captain, and it was graciously accorded to him, 
while the first lieutenancy was accorded to Otis A. 
Baker, of Rehoboth ; but on the day of organization 
Mr. Davis declined his position and the way was 
left clear for the election of Otis A. Baker. No 
records can now be found giving the date of elec- 
tion of officers. The best that can be learned is that 
it was held on a very hot Saturday afternoon in the 
old Hornbine Church in Southeast Rehoboth, about 
the last of August or the first of September, 1862. 
Otis A. Baker was unanimously elected captain; 
Robert Grossman, 2d, of Dighton, first lieutenant; 
and Joseph Gibbs, of Somerset, second lieutenant. 
Swansea was accorded her full share of the non- 
commissioned officers. 

The choice of Captain Baker was a happy one. 
His father, Ira S. Baker, was one of the foremost 
men of Rehoboth, having held the first offices of the 



232 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSxVCHUSETTS 

town for years. He was also a member of the House 
of Representatives in Boston. After graduating 
from the public schools of Rehoboth Captain Baker 
learned the trade of a mason, in which business he 
was very successful ; notwithstanding, when the war 
broke out he left his remunerative business in Prov- 
idence, R. I., and enlisted in Company A, First 
Rhode Island Detached Militia, for three months. 
He served his full term, being engaged with his regi- 
ment at the battle of Bull Run, where he received 
a wound in his arm. Having been discharged and 
having recovered from his wound, he re-enlisted as 
first sergeant in Company A, Fourth Rhode Island 
Infantry, September, 1861, and was promoted to 
second lieutenant, Nov. 20, 1861. He was with his 
regiment in the well remembered Burnside Expedi- 
tion, taking part in the capture of Roanoke Island 
and the battle of Newbern, and remaining with his 
regiment until xVug. 11, 1862, when he resigned his 
commission. The cause of his resignation, together 
with over half of the commissioned officers of the 
regiment, was the action of Governor Sprague in 
taking an officer from another regiment and giving 
him a place over them as one of the field officers. 
Soon after his arrival home I met Lieutenant 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 2B3 

Baker in Providence and invited him to go with 
Company H as first lieutenant, it being understood 
then that the captaincy was settled ; his answer was 
that he intended to see the war through and was 
ready for anything that might offer. Lieutenant 
Baker at that time was twenty -four years old; he 
was indeed a giant, standing six feet four in his 
stockings, straight as an arrow, well versed in mil- 
itary tactics; and, although the youngest of the 
captains in the Third Regiment, his ability as offi- 
cer was never questioned, nor had the company any 
reason to regret its choice of him as their captain. 
Resolute by nature, kind in heart, he was a man 
who did things; always doing his duty regardless 
of consequences to himself. He exacted from every 
man of his company a strict and impartial obedi- 
ence to himself and to all officers with whom they 
were to render duty. At the battle of Kinston, N, 
C, as we were formed into line of battle, expecting 
momentarily to be ordered to the front to take a 
more active part. Captain Baker made this little 
speech, "In a few moments we shall be where we 
shall see more active and more dangerous work, but 
no matter what we may meet let not a man of you 
run until I run, but when vou see me run then let 



234: HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

every man run like the devil." Suffice it to say, no 
man was seen running. 

Lieutenant Grossman was highly esteemed by the 
whole company. His quiet, unassuming manner 
caused every one to love him and to confide in him ; 
he was a true man and a true soldier. He demon- 
strated his patriotism by re-enlisting in the Fifty- 
eighth Regiment, in which he was elected captain, 
and was with his company at the battle of Cold 
Harbor, where he was wounded terribly in the 
shoulder; an injury from which he never recovered. 
There can be little doubt that this shortened his 
life many years. He died at Taunton, July 25, 
1876. 

Lieutenant Gibbs was a whole-hearted, first-class 
man, against whom there was never heard a word 
of censure, nor was there one spot on his splendid 
character. Being detached early for signal service, 
he was with us but a short time, almost all of his 
term of nine months being spent in Charleston Har- 
bor, S. C., where he rendered very satisfactory ser- 
vice to his commanding officer. 

But a few days elapsed after our organization be- 
fore we were ordered to go into camp at Lakeville^ 
Mass. We were to meet at Somerset village, from 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 



285 



vv'hicli place we were to be conveyed across the river 
in rowboats to take the cars for camp. Arriving 
there late in the afternoon, we found the most of 
the regiment in barracks, and were assigned our 
place among the other companies for the night. 
Such a night. The boys were full of sport and de- 
termined to have a good time, which they did to 
their heart's content. It is safe to say no one slept 
that night within a radius of a quarter of a mile. 
There w^as every kind of a noise imaginable, and 
some that w^ere never heard before nor since. 
Speeches w^ere made, songs sung, hens cackling, 
roosters crowing, turkeys gobbling, ducks quacking, 
pigs squeeling and bulls bellowing; but all this was 
due to leaving home, and still having home with us. 
What could be expected of a hundred men just 
leaving home, and as yet having no military re- 
straint put on them? The following night some of 
us were put on guard, with a four-foot cord stick 
as our weapon of defense; what great things we de- 
clared we would do should the Rebs come down on 
us suddenly; but we were getting ready for the 
hard and dangerous work before us, upon which we 
were soon to enter. 

In a few days the mustering oflQcer came and we 



236 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

were inspected and mustered into tlie service of 
Uncle Sam. Some of our men were beyond tlie 
forty-five year limit, but all passed except one, Sam- 
uel H. Vial, who had in the company a son George, 
and who upon being asked his age gave it honestly 
as forty-nine. Of course he was rejected. The old- 
est man in the company was Peleg Swift of Somer- 
set, a giant in size and strength, but gray-haired. 
Upon being asked his age, he replied, ''Forty-four." 
^'Is that all?" asked the mustering officer. "That is 
what my good mother called me," replied Peleg. 
He was accepted, although fourteen years beyond 
the law limit. No better soldier ever carried a mus- 
ket, and no one ever knew of his dropping out on 
the tiresome marches. He was killed at Petersburg 
by a rebel shell. 

The material composing Company H were worthy, 
steady farmers' boys, with the addition of several 
iron workers from Somerset and Dighton. Many 
of the men were old neighbors at home, several of 
them being from the same families. For instance, 
there were four pairs of brothers, and when one 
heard from home all the others were interested to 
hear the news. No more rugged or better men than 
Company H ever enlisted. Accustomed from early 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 



287 



life to hard work, plain, and good fare, and the 
best of health, they were already fitted for the hard- 
ships of the march and the privations of soldier 
life. They were an honest set of men, and any- 
thing left in their tents was sure to be found where 
it was left. 

Of the military experiences of Company H I will 
say nothing, as the history of the company is the 
history of the regiment. It was never on detached 
or detailed duty, and wherever the regiment went 
there went Company H. There are no tragic events 
to record. The company has the unique distinction 
of bringing home every man that went out with it. 
It is the only company of which I have any knowl- 
edge that served so long a period in the war and 
never lost a man, either by sickness or by bullet. I 
believe this is due largely to the early life and tem- 
perate habits of the men of this company; but we 
cannot close our eyes to the fact that since the close 
of the war more than fifty-two per cent, have an- 
swered the last call. 

In conclusion, let me extend my thanks to those 
comrades who so ably assisted me in gathering 
facts, especially to Captain Baker, Comrade 
Walker, of Dighton, and Samuel L. Buffington of 



238 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Swansea. Those men, together with the record of 
the company in 1862, and notes and facts preserved 
in diaries, has made it possible at this late date 
to write such a correct history of the company. We 
are growing old, our ranks are fast thinning, our 
roll calls are growing shorter and shorter, it be- 
hooves us to quit ourselves like men. Like all other 
men I have done many things for which I am sorry, 
and some things for which I am ashamed, but there 
is one incident in my life of which I am neither 
sorry nor ashamed, and that is the fact that I en- 
listed and served in Company H, Third Regiment 
Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. 



Corrected Roster of Company H, Third Regiment, 
Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. 

[The first figures indicate age at enlistment : the city and town, the 
place of enlistment.] 

Otis A. Baker, Captain ; 24 ; Rehoboth. Enlisted 
as a private in Company A, First Rhode Island De- 
tached Militia, April 16, 1861. Wounded at battle 
of Bull Run, July 21, 1861. Discharged. Re-en- 
listed in September, 1861, first sergeant of Com- 
pany A, Fourth Rhode Island Infantry. Promoted 
second lieutenant, Nov. 20, 1861. Resigned, Aug. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 239 

11, 1862. Re-enlisted Sept. 18, 1862. Chosen cap- 
tain of Company H, Tliird Regiment, Massachu- 
setts Volunteer Militia. Mustered out June 26, 
1863. Re-enlisted Aug. 1, 1864; captain of the 
Eighteenth Unattached Company, Massachusetts 
Volunteer Militia. Discharged Nov. 14, 1864. Re- 
enlisted Dec. 10, 1864; captain of Eighteenth Un- 
attached Company for one year, or until the close 
of the war. Mustered out May 12, 1865. Resides 
in Rehoboth, Mass. 

Robert Crossman, 2d, First Lieutenant; 34; 
Dighton. Mustered out with regiment, June 26, 
1863. Re-enlisted and was chosen captain in the 
Fifty-eighth Massachusetts Infantry. Wounded at 
battle of Cold Harbor. Discharged for disability, 
Oct. 11, 1864. For many years one of the State 
Constabulary. Died in Taunton, July 25, 1876. 

Joseph Gibbs, Second Lieutenant; 35; Somerset. 
Detached Nov. 21, 1862, for signal corps service. 
On duty at Port Royal and at Charleston Harbor, 
during the bombardment of Charleston. Died Apr. 
7, 1863. 

Arnold D. Brown^ First Sergeant; 24; Rehoboth. 
Enlisted May 26, 1862, as a private in Co. B, Tenth 
Rhode Island Infantry. Discharged Sept. 1, 1862. 



240 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Re-enlisted in Company H, Third Massachusetts 
Volunteers. Discharged June 26, 1863. Re-enlisted 
sergeant-major Third Rhode Island Cavalry, Aug. 
7, 1863. Promoted second lieutenant Feb. 6, 1864. 
Discharged 1865. Died Oct. 26, 1874. 

George F. M. Forrester, Sergeant; 38; Somerset. 
Farmer; for many years a resident of Somerset. 
Dead. 

Edwin Haskins, Sergeant; 24; Dighton. 
Moulder. Resides in North Dighton. 

Jonathan W. Thurber, Sergeant; 23; Swansea. 
Re-enlisted. Sergeant of Eighteenth Unattached 
Company, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, Aug. 1, 
1864. Discharged Nov. 14, 1864. Died in Seekonk, 
January, 1904. 

Samuel W. Gibbs, Sergeant; 23; Somerset. Far- 
mer. Resides in Somerset. 

Henry H. Lothrop, Corporal ; 24 ; Rehoboth. Re- 
enlisted in navy. Lost at sea from a United States 
Transport in 1865. 

Sylvanus D. Jones, Corporal; 34; Dighton. Re- 
enlisted Dec. 10, 1864; corporal in Eighteenth Un- 
attached Company, Massachusetts Volunteer Mi- 
litia. Discharged May 12, 1865. Dead. 

James McNeil, Corporal ; 34 ; Swansea. De- 
tailed corporal of Pioneer Corps. Dead. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 241 

Isaiah B. Oasb^ Corporal; 20; Seekonk. Lives in 
Philadelphia, Penn. Proprietor of a restaurant. 

JosiAH L. HoRTON^ Corporal ; 21; Dighton. Died 
Dec. 28, 1890. 

Charles B. Pbckham, Corporal; 36; Somerset. 
Dead. 

Daniel Briggs, Corporal; 21; Dighton. Dead. 

Horace L. Horton, Corporal ; 19 ; Swansea. Far- 
mer. Resides in Rehoboth. 

James M. Evans, Musician; 25; Dighton. For 
many years a grain dealer in Taunton; also con- 
nected with the Nickel Plate Works. Dead. 

Allen B. Luther, Musician ; 20 ; Rehoboth. Died 
Oct. 13, 1864. 

Mark P. Chasi^, Wagoner; 19; Somerset. Un- 
known. 

Jason W. Fuller, Wagoner; 37; Rehoboth. Dis- 
charged for disability, Nov. 27, 1863. Died May 30, 
1896. 

Privates. 

Bliss^ Joshua S. ; 21; Rehoboth. Re-enlisted as 
first sergeant in Eighteenth Unattached Company, 
Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, Aug. 1, 1864. Dis- 
charged Nov. 14, 1864. Re-enlisted in Eighteenth 

16 



'2,42 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Unattached Company, Dec. 10, 1864. Discharged 
May 12, 1865. A lumber dealer in Buffington, N. Y. 

BuFFiNGTON^ Samuel L. ; 18; Swansea. Mustered 
out with regiment. Supposed to be living in Swan- 
sea. 

Buffington^ George O. ; 18; Swansea. Re-en- 
listed in Eighteenth Unattached Company, Massa- 
chusetts Volunteer Militia, Aug. 10, 1864. Dis- 
charged Nov. 14, 1864. Farmer. Resides in Swan- 
sea. 

Babbitt,, Nathaniel M. ; 39; Dighton. Farmer. 
Resides in Dighton. 

Briggs, Oliver H. ; 28; Dighton. Re-enlisted 
Aug. 10, 1864, in Eighteenth Unattached Company, 
Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. Discharged Nov. 
14, 1864. Re-enlisted Dec. 10, 1864. Discharged 
May 12, 1865. Sutler. Resides in Washington, D. 
C. 

Belden^ William H. ; 22; Dighton. Re-enlisted 
Aug. 10, 1864, and made a corporal. Discharged 
Nov. 14, 1864. Resides in Fall River. 

Bullock^ Gilbert D.; 34; Rehoboth. Farmer. 
Died in Hebronville, Mass., Dec. 25, 1904. 

Chace, George F. ; 18; Somerset. Dead. 

Chace, George A.; 18; Somerset. Treasurer of 
Chace Corporation. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 243 

Chace^ Benjamin F. ; 28; Somerset. Dead. 

Chace^ William P.; 32; Swansea. Kesided in 
Somerset for years. Dead. 

Chace^ Edwin ; 19 ; Dighton. Resided in Dighton 
for years. Dead. 

Chace^ Baylies R. ; 20; Somerset. On detached 
duty at Plymoutli, N. C. Originally a member of 
the Twenty-ninth Massachusetts. Discharged for 
disability. Inspector in Providence. 

Chace^ Herbert A.; 20; Dighton. Discharged 
for disability Mar. 27, 1863. Re-enlisted Aug. 10, 
1864, in Eighteenth Unattached Company, Massa- 
chusetts Volunteer Militia. Died June, 30, 1879. 

Carmichael^ John B. ; 19 ; Somerset. Residence, 
unknown. 

Curtis, George E. ; 23; Rehoboth. Re-enlisted 
Dec. 10, 1864, in Eighteenth Unattached Company, 
Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. Discharged May 
12, 1865. Resides in East Providence. 

Carroll^ Michael; 26; Somerset. Dead. 

Davis^ Nathan S.; 33; Somerset. Dead. 

Farrell^ Dominick; 45; Rehoboth. Resided in 
Somerset. Dead. 

Francis^ Darius P.; 22; Rehoboth. Died in At- 
tleboro, Apr. 12, 1891. 



'J144 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Francis^ David W. ; 21 ; Rehobotli. Re-enlisted 
Aug. 10, 1864. Discharged Nov. 14, 1864. Farmer. 
Resides in Relioboth. 

GoFP^ Henry N. ; 39; Dighton. Detailed in Pio- 
neer Corps. Re-enlisted Aug. 10, 1864, in Eigh- 
teenth Unattached Company, Massachusetts Volun- 
teer Militia. Discharged Nov. 14, 1864. Died in 
Dighton, Mar. 8, 1889. 

GoFF^ Andrevt J.; 22; Rehoboth. Re-enlisted 
Aug. 10, 1864. Discharged Nov. 14, 1864. Died 
Nov. 25, 1899. 

Green, George; 36; Rehoboth. Died in East 
Providence, Jan. 7, 1900. 

Hood, David B. ; 18; Somerset. Unknown. 

Harrington^ Daniel; 33; Rehoboth. Re-enlisted 
in Company C, Third Rhode Island Cavalry, Oct. 
13, 1863. Discharged Nov. 29, 1865. Died in War- 
ren, 4?. I., Apr. 12, 1891. 

Hathaway^ George W. ; 39; Somerset. Detailed 
in Pioneer Corps. Unknown. 

Hatten, John R. ; 25 ; Somerset. Dead. 

Holten, Michael; 29; Somerset. Dead. 
- Horton, Alfred A,; 20; Rehoboth. Re-enlisted 
Aug. 10, 1864, in Eighteenth Company, Massachu- 
setts Volunteer Militia. Discharged Nov. 14, 1864. 
Farmer. Resides in Dighton. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. ^-t^ 

HiCKS^ John F. ; 24 ; Rehobotli. Re-enlisted Aug. 
10, 1864, in Eighteenth Unattached Company, Mas- 
sachusetts Volunteer Militia. Discharged Nov. 14, 

1864. Resides in East Providence. 

Hardy, Samuel; 39; Dighton. Died Aug. 31, 1881. 

Hall^ William H. ; 22 ; Somerset. Residence un- 
known. 

Hill, Thomas; 44; Rehoboth. Re-enlisted Dec. 
10, 1864, in Eighteenth Unattached Company, Mas- 
sachusetts Volunteer Militia. Discharged May 10, 

1865. Died Nov. 10, 1897. 

Handley, Edward; 19; Rehoboth. Re-enlisted in 
Eighteenth Unattached Company, Massachusetts 
Volunteer Militia, Aug. 10, 1864. Discharged Nov. 
14, 1864. Farmer. Resides in East Providence. 

Handley, Andrew A.; 18; Rehoboth. Re-enlisted 
in Third Rhode Island Cavalry, Sept. 15, 1863. Dis- 
charged Nov. 29, 1865. Died Apr. 21, 1892. 

KiNGSLEY, Amos N.; 18; Swansea. Re-enlisted. 
Unknown. 

Kent, Alva B. ; 19; Rehoboth. Died in Provi- 
dence, August, 1871. 

Luther, William H. ; 22 ; Rehoboth. Re-enlisted 
as corporal of Eighteenth Unattached Company, 
Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, Aug. 10, 1864. 



246 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Discharged Nov. 10, 1864. Re-enlisted as sergeant 
of Eighteenth Unattached Company, Massachusetts 
Volunteer Militia, Dec. 10, 1864. Discharged May 
12, 1865. Town Clerk of Rehoboth for eighteen 
years. Bookkeeper in Pawtucket. Resides at 132 
Grove Ave., East Providence. 

Luther^ Hale S. ; 32; Rehoboth. Detached in 
Signal Corps, Nov. 14 1862, with Lieutenant Gibbs. 
One of the selectmen of Rehoboth. Elected to Gen- 
eral Court, 1875. Died Apr. 22, 1895. 

Lincoln^ Alvin C. ; 20; Dighton. In Alaska 
when last heard from. 

Lahne^ Peter F. ; 23; Somerset. Lived and died 
iii Somerset. 

Lampson, John R. ; 20 ; Somerset. Resides in 
Maine. 

Marble^ George W. ; 24; Somerset. Dead. 

Marble^ Alexander H. ; 21 ; Somerset. Oyster- 
man. Resides in Somerset. 

MosHER^ Edward F. ; 28; Somerset. Believed to 
be dead. 

Martin^ Albert F.; 20; Swansea. Re-enlisted 
Dec. 10, 1864. Discharged May 10, 1865. Dead. 

MouLTON, James F. ; 22; Rehoboth. Died May 4, 
1883. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 247 

Maker^ William H. ; 25 ; Swansea. On de- 
tached service at Plymouth, N. C. Discharged for 
disability Nov. 13, 1863. Besides in Warren, K. I. 

Pierce^ Abraham; 31; Kehoboth. Died Dec. 1, 
1890. 

Pierce^ Ezra V. B.; 21; Swansea. Farmer. Ee- 
sides in Rehoboth. 

Pierce^ William 0.; 39; Somerset. Discharged 
for disability, Mar. 2, 1863. Dead. 

Padelford^ Silas M.; 28; Somerset. Resides in 
Dighton. 

PuRiNGTON^ Samuel C. ; 21; Somerset. Re-en- 
listed as sergeant in Eighteenth Unattached Com- 
pany, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. Discharged 
Nov. 14, 1864. Residence unknown. 

Read^ James O.; 18; Dighton. Re-enlisted in 
Eighteenth Unattached Company, Massachusetts 
Volunteer Militia, Aug. 6, 1864. Discharged June 
10, 1865. Superintendent of City Asylum, Paw- 
tucket, R. I. 

Reynolds^ William ; 30 ; Swansea. Re-enlisted 
Aug. 10, 1864. Discharged Nov. 14, 1864. Died 
1893. 

Roach, James; 29; Rehoboth. Died in Coventry, 
R. I., 1868. 



24:8 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Ryan^ William ; 37 ; Somerset. Discharged for 
disability, May 27, 1863. 

Shove, Charles H. ; 25 ; Swansea. Believed to 
be living; residence unknown. 

Slade, Alfred L. ; 21; Swansea. Dead. 

SwiFT^ Daniel E.; 18; Somerset. Dead. 

SwiFT^ Peleg; 41; Somerset. Re-enlisted in Eigh- 
teenth Unattached Company, Massachusetts Vol- 
unteer Militia. Discharged Nov. 14, 1864. Re-en- 
listed and was killed before Petersburg. 

Smith_, Stephen N. ; 26; Dighton. Re-enlisted in 
Eighteenth Unattached Company, Massachusetts 
Volunteer Militia. Discharged Nov. 14, 1864. Died 
Oct. 7, 1894. 

Smith, Leprilbt C. ; 28; Dighton. Died Nov. 25, 
1893. 

Sullivan, Jeremiah; 18; Somerset. Unknown. 

Simmons, Oliver; 35; Somerset. Re-enlisted 
Dec. 10, 1864, in Eighteenth Unattached Company, 
Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. Discharged May 
12, 1865. Died. 

Sherman, Ira M. ; 35; Somerset. Dead. 

Thurber, Jeremiah; 22; Rehoboth. Farmer. 
Resides in Swansea. 

Tripp, John E.; 19; Swansea. Re-enlisted Aug. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 249 

5, 1864, in Companv G, Second Regiment, Massachu- 
setts Heavy Artillery. Discharged Sept. 3, 1865. 
Dead. 

Tripp^ George A.; 32; Rehoboth. Dead. 

Talbot^ Charles H. ; 20; Dighton. Farmer. Re- 
sides in Somerset. 

ViAL^ George H. ; 24; Rehoboth. Died in Bar- 
rington, R. I., 1890. 

Walker^ Nathan 0.; 23; Dighton. Farmer. Re- 
sides in Dighton. 

Walker^ George A.; 32; Dighton. Died in Digh- 
ton, July, 1863. 

WiNK^ Adam; 24; Dighton. Detailed in Pioneer 
Corps. Re-enlisted Dec. 10, 1864. Discharged May 
12, 1865. Residence unknown. 

Welch^ John W. ; 37; Somerset. Residence un- 
known. 

Westcott, Henry N. ; 29; Dighton. Detailed as 
corporal of carpenters, Oct. 30, 1862. Re-enlisted 
in Eighteenth Unattached Company, Massachusetts 
Volunteer Militia, and promoted to second lieuten- 
ant. Died Sept. 13, 1888. 

Williams^ Henry A.; 30; Dighton. Re-enlisted 
in Eighteenth Unattached Company, Massachusetts 
Volunteer Militia, Aug. 10, 1864. Discharged as 



'250 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

sergeant Nov. 14, 1864. Selectman in Dighton for 
many years. Died July 3, 1895. 

Williams^ Caleb; 41; Rehobotli. Re-enlisted 
Jan. 21, 1864, in Company B, Third Rhode Island 
Heavy Artillery. Died May, 1903. 

Williams^ Edmund; 25; Rochester. Believed to 
be dead. 

Welden^ Silas H.; 23; Swansea. On detached 
service at Plymouth, N. C. Discharged for disabil- 
ity Nov. 2, 1863. Re-enlisted in Company D, Six- 
tieth Massachusetts. Farmer. Resides in Dighton. 




Capt. BARNABAS EWER, JR. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 



CHAPTER XII. 



251 



Company I, Third Regiment, Massachusetts Vol- 
unteer Militia. 

[Written by Lieut. Jabez M. Lyle.] 

The signal service rendered by Company I, and 
the casualties suffered by it, make it quite proper 
to give a somewhat detailed history of its forma- 
tion and of the general character of the men com- 
posing it. The following account is taken from an 
interesting paper written by Lieutenant J. M. Lyie, 
and is given in almost his own words: 

"In the summer of 1862, President Lincoln, not- 
withstanding the prophesies of the wise men by 
whom he was surrounded,— that the rebellion would 
be crushed in a very short time, — found that the 
Civil War had lasted more than a year, and that it 
was necessary to use more extreme measures if the 
war was to be closed in favor of the North, so he 
called for three hundred thousand men; but still 
having in mind the idea that the war must soon be 
brought to a close, he offered to take a large part of 
this vast number as volunteers for nine months. 



252 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

"The Third Regiment of Militia vvhieli had al- 
ready served one term at the front and been honor- 
ably discharged again volunteered, and Col. Silas 
P. Richmond was authorized to recruit the regi- 
ment to the full standard to serve nine months. 

''Capt. Barnabas Ewer, Jr., obtained authority 
to recruit a company from Fairhaven and adjoin- 
ing towns, to be known as Company I, Third Regi- 
ment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. I think it 
was in the month of August when Captain Ewer 
opened an office in Centre Street, under the old 
Town Hall, and invited volunteers to come forward 
and sign their names on the company roll. After 
a time of more or less discouragement a company of 
one hundred and one officers and men was raised, 
of which number forty-two were from Fairhaven, 
twenty from Mattapoisett, fourteen from Rochester, 
twelve from Lakeville, five from Marion, two from 
Falmouth, two from New Bedford, and one each 
from Acushnet, Wareham, and Litchfield, Me. 

'^The company officers were at first. Barnabas 
Ewer, Jr., captain; Solomon K. Eaton, first lieu- 
tenant; and Jabez M. Lyle, second lieutenant. Feb. 
23, 18G3, Lieutenant Eaton resigned on account of 
ill-health, and, on April 8, 1863, Lieutenant Lyle 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 253 

was commissioned first lieutenant, and Joshua H. 
Wilkey was commissioned second lieutenant. 

''This company was composed of men from many 
different walks in life, farmers, mechanics, business 
men, clerks, students in college, and teachers. 
Their ages as given ranged from eighteen to forty- 
five years. Too many troublesome questions along 
this line were not asked. With one exception they 
were American born ; this one exception, poor fel- 
low, was the first one killed. No one was dis- 
charged before the expiration of the term of service, 
and no one was punished for misbehavior. Since 
their muster out, the men, so far as I have been able 
to learn, have proved themselves of no mean order, 
filling their different stations with honor from hum- 
ble citizens of toil to judge upon the bench of the 
Supreme Court. 

"Sept. 22, 1862, the company reported at Camp 
Joe Hooker, in Lakeville, where it remained until 
October 22d, when the regiment broke camp and 
proceeded to Boston with orders to report to Major- 
General Foster, at Newbern, North Carolina. 

"November 30th we were detached from the regi- 
ment, and, with about thirty men from the different 
companies who were found unable to do full duty, 



254 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

we started at night on board steamer Northern 
Light, for Plymouth, N. C. We readied there De- 
cember 1st, relieving a large body of infantry, artil- 
lery, and cavalry, who returned to Newbern. Here 
our numbers were increased by a small company of 
infantry and thirty cavalry recruited from the na- 
tives in that vicinity, and known by us under the 
title of ^'Buffaloes." Lying in the waters, of the Roa- 
noke, there were rarely less than three or four, 
sometimes many more gunboats. Commander Flus- 
ser, of a first-class reputation as a fighting man, was 
in command of the naval force. We found our 
duty to be patrol, guard, and picket. The arrange- 
ment between the land and naval forces was that 
the land force was to give immediate alarm to the 
naval force of the approach of the enemy, and then 
at once retire to the Custom House on the bank of 
the river, when the gunboats would shell the woods, 
and, if need be, the town ; and in this manner keep 
the rebels from entering the place. 

"On the 10th of December at 5.30 a. m., a most 

beautiful moonlight morning, an alarm was sounded 

by the picket, and soon we heard the patrol calling, 

'The rebels are coming.' Lieutenant Eaton was off 

duty sick; so Captain Ewer ordered me to go to 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 255 

company headquarters and get the men in line, 
while he visited the other companies and notified 
the gunboat. I was quickly at the quarters of the 
company and found the men already in line in 
charge of Sergeant Wilkey. We waited in this po- 
sitioUj hearing nothing more of the rebels. Pres- 
ently Captain Ewer came to the company and asked 
if anything new had occurred ; I told him everything 
was as quiet as death. At this point it is well to 
state that the evening before all the gunboats save 
one, which had just arrived and was a very large 
one with a full complement of men and a very heavy 
armament, had gone down the river to coal. In a 
few minutes Captain Ewer ordered me to take an 
escort and visit a picket about half a mile from 
where we were, and on a road parallel to the one 
where the alarm had been given, and see if anything 
could be heard of the cause of the alarm. Calling 
for volunteers, Corporal Mendell, Albert Wilcox, 
and Elisha Dexter came forward. We visited the 
picket named, and could learn only that a sound of 
moving wagons had been heard some time previous, 
but as nothing further had been heard the noise 
must have been made by wagons going up the coun- 
trv outside of our lines. As we started to return 



256 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

to the company, we heard the rebels coming down 
the road at the foot of which Company I was posted. 
This force of the enemy was composed of the Six- 
teenth Regiment of North Carolina Infantry with 
two pieces of artillery, and one hundred and five 
cavalrymen under Colonel Lamb. The cavalry 
charged on Company I, yelling like demons. As 
they were about to strike the company, Sergeant 
Wilkey ordered the men to make a half wheel to the 
right and fire. This was done and they retired to 
the Custom House. Before the company had time 
to start, the cavalry had run across the line, taken 
fourteen prisoners, and wounded a number of others. 
On reaching the Custom House the balance of the 
garrison were found already there. Up to this time 
the gunboat had done nothing. The enemy located 
one piece of artillery on the bank of the river and 
opened fire on her. The first shot went through her 
smokestack and the second into her steam chest; 
when the cry came that her boiler had burst, upon 
which her captain ordered her cable slipped, and she 
was soon drifting down the river, meanwhile firing 
into the town as she slowly drifted away. On reach- 
ing the Custom House our men at once occupied the 
windows, and when the cavalry attempted to pass 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 257 

a little later, they found It too hot for them and re- 
tired. The rebel infantry on entering the village, 
picketed each cross street to prevent anyone escap- 
ing, and also set fire to the houses. A piece of artil- 
lery located on a rise of ground where it had the 
range of the Custom House, sent nine shots into the 
upper corner, one which fatally wounded young 
Francis Stoddard. At this time the rebels suddenly 
retreated. In this action the company lost two men 
killed, Sullivan and Stoddard, several wounded, 
fourteen taken prisoners ; a number of citizens were 
drowned or killed. 

'^\fter this we had a quiet time, engaged in picket 
and guard duty, but somewhat apprehensive of a 
visit from a ram, christened by the boys ''Koanoke 
Sheep,'' that we knew was only a few miles up the 
river waiting for a chance to visit us. This ram 
did come down later, clearing all before it until Lieu- 
tenant Gushing succeeded in blowing it up. 

''We had a large number of contrabands, horses 
and mules to look after, and as Captain Ewer did 
not feel authorized to feed them with government ra- 
tions we did considerable foraging outside the lines. 
Three foraging expeditions fell to my lot to conduct. 
One of these occasions is worth relating. We 

17 



258 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

started early in the morning with a number of wag- 
ons and volunteers from Company I to go several 
miles outside of our lines to a barn where there was 
a large lot of corn that we wanted. After we had 
proceeded some distance beyond the picket line we 
saw a man coming on the run waving his hands and 
acting very much excited. We halted until he 
reached us and gave us the information that the reb- 
els were at the barn where we were going, and were 
loading up the corn to carry up the country, and 
that the best thing for us to do was to go back to 
camp. After carefully considering the matter, we 
concluded to go on and see what we could discover. 
On reaching the vicinity of the barn we dismounted 
and so arranged the men as to surround the prem- 
ises, and if possible capture all hands. Our attempt 
proved a grand success. We took some thirteen 
wagons of all descriptions, with all hands connected 
with them. After finishing the loading of the cap- 
tured wagons and our own, we started on our re- 
turn. While still outside our picket line, we saw a 
body of horsemen coming on the gallop toward us. 
We halted, and formed our wagons and men in the 
best shape we could to care for ourselves. They 
proved, however, to be a body of our own cavalry 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. '2f»9 

who were coming to look for us. The contraband 
whom we had met earlier in the day had worked his 
way into the town and told his story to Captain 
Ewer, and he had become anxious about us. We 
soon formed line again and took up our camp camp- 
wards. After entering within the lines we met the 
infantry coming out to see where we were : these so 
increased our numbers that when we reached Ply- 
mouth we had a large column of cavalry, infantry, 
rebels, with our train of wagons, and as we passed 
headquarters received a royal welcome from the men 
from the gunboats and citizens who were gathered 
on the street. 

^'One other expedition we will mention, caused by 
our guide, a man named Giles, having been shot 
while he and Corporal Mendell were entering the 
gate leading to the guide's house. Giles was a na- 
tive and his home was outside our lines. Corporal 
Mendell reported the incident to Captain Ewer, and 
it was not known for a certainty whether or not the 
guide was dead. I was ordered to take a boat and 
crew from Company I, in which were a number of 
sailors, and visit the home of the guide to render 
him any needed aid and bring him to town if possi- 
ble. We started early in the morning, were all day 



260 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

until ten o'clock at night. On reaching the house 
we found the guide dead, and that there was nothing 
we could do. 

"In these ways we spent our time until one day in 
March w^e saw a steamer coming up the liv^r carry- 
ing a general's flag at the fore. When the boat was 
made fast Company I was ordered to get ready to go 
somewhere, we did not know where. It seems, how- 
ever, that General Palmer wanted to visit some of 
the outposts. One of these was Edenton, and the 
men were allowed here to go ashore. On returning 
to the steamer, some of the citizens reported to the 
general that some silver was missing. The com- 
pany was ordered to fall in line on the wharf; knap- 
sacks were unslung and carefully inspected, but no 
silver was found. On swinging off, the steamer 
headed for Elizabeth City. Here the company dis- 
embarked and spent about tw^o months in garrison 
duties, similar to those performed at Plymouth. The 
major of the Eighth Massachusetts Volunteer Mi- 
litia had command of the post. Foraging became a 
part of our duty. One expedition in this line is 
worthy of mention, showing how the innocent may 
suffer imposition. We started one day under com- 
mand of an officer of some North Carolina troops. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. !i61 

The expedition was made up of a detail from tlie 
Eiglith Regiment, Massacliiisetts Volunteer Militia, 
and Company I. We were absent two days and a 
night, and the object was to procure rations as our 
commissary was getting short. We were successful 
in finding corn, bacon, and some very nice hams. 
These last were found by Company I. As we were 
about to go ashore on our return, we noticed that 
the men of the Eighth Regiment had on their over- 
coats, but in our innocence thought it not strange, 
presuming they thought that the better way of car- 
rying them. The next day when we applied to the 
commissary for a share of the hams, he informed us 
that none were turned in. It seems that the men 
with overcoats had carried them away under their 
capes. 

''We formed a part of an expedition sent one day 
to break up a camp of guerillas, located some dis- 
tance up the Dismal Swamp canal. We used a little 
noisy steamer which gave a decided notice of our 
coming, and, as might be expected, the guerillas took 
the hint and left. All we could do was to burn the 
camp, which we did, and then returned in safety. 

''After about five months of garrison duty in Ply- 
mouth and Elizabeth City, Company I was ordered 



262 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

to report at Newbern, when its services became again 
a part of the regimental histor3\" 



Corrected Roster of Company I, Massachusetts 
Volunteer Militia. 

[Wi;iTTEN BY Corporal James F. Tripp and Comrade Henry P 

Crowell.] 

[The first figures indicate age at enlistment: the city or town, the place 
of enlistment.] 

Barnabas Ewer^ Jr., Captain; 50; Fairhaven. 
For years before the Avar he was in the outfitting 
business. He raised Company I, and was its cap- 
tain during its nine months' campaign in North 
Carolina. He assisted in raising the Fifty-eighth 
Regiment and was commissioned major of the same. 
He went with the regiment to the front and was 
killed in action at Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864. 

Solomon R. Eaton, First Lieutenant; 55; Matta- 
poisett. For many years he was engaged in the ar- 
chitectural business, where he gained success and 
renown. He resigned his office as first lieutenant 
February 23d, on account of failing health, and died 
at Mattapoisett, Oct. 9, 1872. 

Jabez M. Lyle, Second Lieutenant; 30; Fairhaven. 
He was promoted to first lieutenant. Apr. 3. 1863, 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 263 

and afterwards to captain in the Twenty-third Un- 
attached Company, One Hundred Days' Men. After 
muster out he taught school in Fairliaven. He was 
for quite awliile in the oil business ; then engaged in 
the real estate and insurance business, which he still 
continues in New York City successfully. His ad- 
dress is 1550 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, N. Y. Of 
Company I he says, 'The men of this company were 
quite the equal of any company in the Old Third. 
Many of them were college graduates, and others 
were pursuing their studies in college, which for 
the time they ceased to take up again after they were 
mustered out of service. Since the war many of 
these men became doctors, lawyers, one a. judge in 
the courts of Massachusetts, one the honored princi- 
pal of the Friends Academy in New Bedford ; many 
have made their mark in business; and not one has 
ever disgraced himself by misbehavior. A large 
number re-enlisted and went to the front. All the 
officers save Lieutenant Eaton went the second time, 
and some the third time into the service." 

As captain, Lieutenant Lyle recruited Company I 
to its fullest strength. During his service he was 
acting adjutant for one month in camp at Lakeville, 
acting quartermaster, commissary, ordnance officer 



264 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

at Plymouth, N. C, and lastly he commanded two 
companies at Readville, Mass., at the time of the 
second election of President Lincoln. 

Joshua M. Wilkey, Second Lieutenant; 26; Fair- 
haven. He was promoted from first sergeant to sec- 
ond lieutenant, Apr. 3, 1863. He was promoted first 
lieutenant in the Twenty-third Unattached Com- 
pany; also promoted captain in a company raised 
for one year. He died in Fairhaven, Nov. 12, 1901. 

JiRAH Kinney^ Jr. ; First Sergeant ; 26 ; Mattapoi- 
sett. He was in the First Rhode Island Detached 
Militia and took part in the battle of Bull Run. Af- 
ter the war he returned to Mattapoisett, where he 
lived until he moved to Buffalo, N. Y., his present 
residence. 

Lawrence R. Rankin, Sergeant; 23; Rochester. 
Believed to have been killed in the battle of Cold 
Harbor, June 3, 1864. 

Thomas H. Bowen, Sergeant; 21; Fairhaven. 
Died in Fairhaven, Apr. 30, 1879. 

Nelson I. Sweet, Sergeant ; 21 ; Fairhaven. Af- 
ter muster out he worked for the Standard Oil Com- 
pany until pensioned and retired by the same. He 
resides in Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Elisha Copeland^ Sergeant ; 26 ; Fairhaven. Died 
in Fairhaven, Apr. 3, 1886. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 265 

George^ F. Rogers, Sergeant ; 21 ; Fairliaven. Died 
in Newbern, N. C, June 2, 1863. 

Sylvanus D. Waterman, Corporal ; 21 ; Litchfield, 
Me. Died in Kentucky several years ago. 

Horace P. Tripp, Corporal; 24; Fairliaven. Died 
in Fairliaven, Apr. 29, 1864. 

Jessie A, Warner, Corporal ; 44 ; Fairliaven. Died 
in Fairhaven, June 13, 1892. 

Nathan H. Mendall, Corporal ; 30 ; Marion. Be- 
lieved to be living in Rochester, Mass. 

Benjamin H. Strowbridge, Corporal ; 40 ; Lake- 
ville. Unknown. 

James N. Cox, Corporal; 18; Fairhaven. Re-en- 
listed in Fifty-eighth Massachusetts Volunteer Mi- 
litia as sergeant. Wounded in the Battle of the Wil- 
derness. Resides in Calmut, Mich. 

Benjamin F. Robinson, Corporal ; 20 ; Mattapoi- 
sett. Employed at State Farm, Bridgewater. 

James F. Tripp, Corporal; 28; Fairhaven. Prom- 
nent in town affairs. Real estate agent. One of the 
oflScials at Dry Dock, Fairhaven. Resides on Wal- 
nut Street, Fairhaven. 

Benjamin Burt, Musician; 18; Fairhaven. Re- 
sides in New Brunswick, N. J. 



266 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Privates. 

Allen, William F. ; 21 ; Fairhaven. Engaged in 
the life insurance business in New York. Resides in 
Omaha Menger, N. Y. 

Allen, Charles A.; 19; Marion. Resides in 
Marion. 

Baker, Benjamin T. ; 18; Fairhaven. Resides in 
Whitinsville, Mass. 

Barrows, Alpheus; 21 ; Mattapoisett. Resides in 
Mattapoisett. Re-enlisted in Second Heavy Artil- 
lery. 

Benton, Charles H. ; 18; Lakeville. Unknown. 

Bowen, Martin; 18; Fairhaven. Died in Frank- 
lin. Pa., Aug. 25, 1899. 

Braley, Charles G.; 22; Fairhaven. Living in 
Fairhaven. 

Briggs, George P.; 20; Fairhaven. Resides in 
Cottage City. 

Butts, Joseph A.; 20; Mattapoisett. Resides in 
New Bedford. 

Benton, William H. ; 41 ; Lakeville. Supposed 
to be dead. 

Braley, George B. ; 23 ; Fairhaven. Died in 
Marion, Mass. 

Blankenship, James W. ; 19; Marion. Nothing 
known of his historv since muster out. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 267 

Bishop^ Israel S. ; 43 ; Rochester. According to 
best information he died several years ago. 

Bourne^ Sylvanus, Jr. ; 22 ; Falmouth. Believed 
to be living in Falmouth. 

Bourne, Thomas B. ; 19; Rochester. So far as 
known he still lives in Rochester. 

Bishop^ Micah S. ; 27 ; Rochester. Unknown. 

Crowell^ Thomas C. ; 27; Fairhaven. Died in 
Fairhaven, March 26, 1879. 

Crowell^ Henry P.; 21; Fairhaven. An honored 
and respected citizen of Fairhaven, where he still re- 
sides. 

Carson^ Reuben; 22; Fairhaven. Died in Hyde 
Park, in 1904. Buried in New Bedford. 

CoLE^ Charles G. ; 38; Lakeville. Unknown. 

Crapo^ Henry E. ; 23; Rochester. Unknown. 

OoLE^ Theodore W. ; 24 ; Rochester. Resides in 
New Bedford. 

CoLE^ Albert L. ; 44 ; Lakeville. Believed to be 
dead. 

Cole, Nelson F. ; 43 ; Lakeville. Unknown. 

Carver^ Gilbert; 24; Lakeville. Unknown. 

Crapo^ Francis N. ; 21 ; Rochester. Unknown. 

Caswell^ William F. ; Fairhaven. Resides in 
New Bedford. 

Crosby^ Edward F. ; 18 ; Mattapoisett. Unknown. 



268 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Damon, Edward F. ; 21 ; Fairhaven. Died in Fair- 
haven, March 23, 1866. 

Davis, Alden ; 32 ; Fairhaven. Died in Fairhaven, 
Sept. 13, 1901. 

Dean, William; 36; Lakeville. Unknown. 

Dexter, Albert M. ; 25 ; Mattapoisett. Died July 
25, 1899. 

Dexter, Elisha L. ; 28 ; Mattapoisett. Unknown. 

Dexter, James W. ; 44; Mattapoisett. Died in 
1890. 

Dodge, Gilbert A.; 26; Marion. Resides in Or- 
leans, Mass. 

Dillingham, Edward H.; 37; Fairhaven. Re-en- 
listed in Fifty-eighth Massachusetts Veteran Volun- 
teers. Died in Petersburg, Va., March 8, 1865, and 
was buried in Virginia. 

Dunham, George; 18; Fairhaven. Unknown. 

Ellis, Daniel S. ; 21 ; Mattapoisett. Died in Mat- 
tapoisett, Mar. 21, 1893. 

Ellis, William T. ; 20; Rochester. Died soon af- 
ter muster out. 

Ellis, John ; 42 ; Acushnet. Unknown. 

Freeborn, John P.; 22; Fairhaven. Resides in 
Newport. 

GiLLETT, Albert D.; 21; Fairhaven. Lives in Sol- 
diers Home, Chelsea. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 269 

GiLLBTT^ Charles W. ; 24 ; Fairhaven. Resides in 
New Bedford. 

GiFFORD^ Charles H. ; 23; Fairhaven. Died in 
Fairhaven, Jan. 20, 1904. 

GiFFORD^ William C. ; 18; Mattapoisett. Re-en- 
listed in Third Heavy Artillery. Resides in Fair- 
haven. 

Hitch, Frederick H. ; 22; Fairhaven. Resides in 
New York. 

Holmes, Heman G.; 25; Mattapoisett. Master's 
Mate at close of the war. Member of school commit- 
tee in Mattapoisett, where he still resides. 

Hiller, Eben R. ; 31 ; Mattapoisett. Died in Mat- 
tapoisett, May 1, 1890. 

Hammond, John W. ; 24; Mattapoisett. One of 
the judges of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massa- 
chusetts. Resides in Cambridge, Mass. 

Hammond, Rowland; 20; Mattapoisett. Died in 
Campello, July 8, 1900. 

Ingraham, William H. ; 35; Wareham. Died in 
Wareham. 

Ingraham, Andrew ; 20 ; New Bedford. Resides 
in Cambridge, Mass. 

Jenkins, William ; 22 ; Falmouth. Unknown. 

Luce, Leander ; 24 ; New Bedford. Unknown. 

LoBiE, Franklin A.; 44; Mattapoisett. Died in 
Newbern, N. C, Jan. 19, 1863. 



270 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Marvell, Samuel M. ; 18; Fairhaven. Re-enlisted 
in Fifty-eighth Regiment. Promoted sergeant. 
Taken prisoner and died in Salisbury Prison, N. C, 
Dec. 29, 1864. 

Nye^ John L. ; 27; Rochester. Unknown. 

Potter^ William H. ; 30; Marion. Resides in 
Marion. 

Pierce^ Lucius; 30; Rochester. Unknown. 

Paull^ Roger; 23; Lakeville. Unknown. 

Paris^ Caleb; 27; Lakeville. Died in Myricks- 
ville, Feb. 19, 1900. 

Purrington^ William B. ; 19; Fairhaven. Died 
in Fairhaven, Apr. 1, 1865. 

PuRRiNGTON, JoHN A. ; 44 ; Mattapoisett. Died in 
New Bedford, Dec. 14, 1899. 

Ryder^ Madison N. ; 18 ; Rochester. Unknown. 

Randall^ Fayette E.; 18; Mattapoisett. Resides 
in Mattapoisett. 

Randall^ George W. ; 26; Mattapoisett. Resides 
in New Bedford. 

Sampson^ Zabdiel S. ; 20; Fairhaven. Died in 
New York, 1900. 

Smith, Roland; 24; Fairhaven. Resides in Rock 
Station, Middleboro, Mass. 

Sears, Stephen C. ; 23; Rochester. Resides in 
Somerville, Mass. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 271 

Sullivan^ Michael; 26; Lakeville. Killed in ac- 
tion at Plymouth, N. C, Dec. 10, 1862. 

Stoddard^ Francis M. ; 18; Fairhaven. Died in 
Plymouth, N. C, December 16th, from wounds re- 
ceived in action Dec. 10, 1862. 

Tinkham^ Charles H. ; 20; Mattapoisett. Died 
in Newbern, Nov. 30, 1862. 

Taber^ Loring p. ; 18 ; Fairhaven. Died of wounds 
in Washington, D. C, June 23, 1864. 

ToBY^ John A.; 23; Falmouth. Town Clerk of 
Falmouth. 

Tripp, Handel J.; 43; Rochester. Died in Fox- 
boro, 1904. 

WiLBER^ Isaiah T. ; 27 ; Rochester. Died in Mans- 
field, Mass., Feb. 9, 1901. 

Westgate^ Stephen ; 18 ; Fairhaven. Resides in 
New Bedford. 

Wrightinton, Thomas W. ; 25 ; Fairhaven. Re- 
sides in Fairhaven. 

Westgate^ Andrew ; 33 ; Fairhaven. Died in Fair- 
haven, Feb. 16, 1904. 

Wilcox, Albert M. ; 30; Fairhaven. Resides in 
Fairhaven. 

WooD^ Lemuel C, Jr. ; 33 ; Fairhaven. Died in 
New Bedford in 1897. 

WiNSLOW, Leander; 27; Lakeville. Died in 1904. 



272 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Company K, Third Regiment_, Massachusetts Vol- 
unteer Militia. 

[Wkitten by Corporal Henry Maxley, Member of the Company] 

Company K was a new company recruited for the 
purpose of filling the quota of the towns of East 
BridgCAvater, West Bridgewater, and Bridgewater. 
It was not connected with the Third Regiment of 
Massachusetts Militia either before or after its term 
of service. 

In the call for 300,000 three years' men early in 
the summer of 1862, the combined quota of the 
abovenamed towns was 102, and taking it for 
granted that about the same number would be re- 
quired under the call of August 4th, for 300,000 men 
for nine months, concerted action was taken in town 
meetings in each of those towns. 

A very enthusiastic war meeting was held on the 
evening of Aug. 18, 1862, in the town hall in East 
Bridgewater, at which Joseph Chamberlain was 
president and Sergt. Morton D. Mitchell was sec- 
retary. It was voted that it is expedient that East 




Capt. Samuel Bate:? 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 273 

Bridgewater, together with Bridgewater and West 
Bridgewater, should endeavor to raise by voluntary 
enlistment a company to enter into the United 
States service for nine months. 

Voted, That Messrs. James Mitchell, Benjamin 
W. Harris and George Bryant be a committee to 
wait upon the governor and request him to appoint 
some person or j'ersons, to engage in the enlistment 
of such volunteers. 

Votecl^ That Messrs. Richard M. Smith and Wil- 
liam-Allen be a committee to consult with the citi- 
zens of Bridgewater and West Bridgewater in rela- 
tion to a meeting of the three towns for the purpose 
of forming a military company. 

It is probable that similar meetings were held in 
each of the other towns, but no record of them has 
been found. 

In West Bridgewater a town meeting was held on 
Aug. 22, 1862. It was voted that a bounty of 
|150 be paid to volunteers for nine months' service, 
and it was recommended that the volunteers unite 
with Bridgewater and East Bridgewater to form a 
company. It was also recommended that the whole 
town attend a meeting to be held at Agricultural 
Hall in Bridgewater on the following Wednesday 

18 



274 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSxVCHUSETTS 

(August 26th) for the purpose of forwarding the 
formation of a military company. A committee 
had been chosen at a previous meeting to take 
charge of recruiting, consisting of the Selectmen 
(James Howard, Albert Copeland and George T. 
Ryder), together with one man from each school 
district, as follows: William O. Alger, J. Q. Hart- 
well, Nahum Snell, Samuel N. Howard, Charles E. 
Howard, Galen K. Richards, Thomas Ames, Leavitt 
T. Howard. 

In East Bridgewater at a town meeting held on 
Aug. 23, 1862, it was voted to pay a bounty of |100 
to volunteers for nine months' service, and a com- 
mittee of three was chosen to procure enlistments. 
The committee consisted of Samuel Bates, John B. 
Fisher, and George Bryant. The meeting also rec- 
ommended to such of its inhabitants as may enlist 
for nine months' service that they unite with the 
volunteers from the towns of Bridgewater and West 
Bridgewater in forming a company. 

A town meeting was held in Bridgewater on Aug. 
26, 1862, to raise volunteers under the call for men 
to serve nine months. It was voted that a commit- 
tee of seven be chosen by the town to take in charge 
the business of raising the number of volunteers 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 275 

necessary, also to pay a bounty of |150 to each vol- 
unteer who shall enlist to the credit of the town for 
nine months' service. The committee chosen at this 
meeting were F. B. King, Edward W. Bassett, Na- 
than Fobes, Almansor Osborne, Lewis Holmes, and 
Holden W. Keith. 

Shortly after this time a number of men from 
North Bridgewater and Easton who had arranged 
to join the Fourth Regiment, learning that this com- 
pany was nearly full, and that the regiment was 
nearly ready to leave for the seat of war, joined the 
company, completely filling its ranks. 

The mass meeting alluded to in the town meeting 
in West Bridgewater was held in Agricultural Hall, 
Bridgewater, on the evening of August 26th. The 
presiding officer was B. W. Harris, Esq., of East 
Bridgewater. The vice-presidents were Hon. Arte- 
mas Hale, Col. Samuel Leonard, Hon. J. H. Mitch- 
ell, Samuel G. Alden, James Howard, and Capt. 
Joseph Kingman. The meeting is represented as of 
an enthusiastic character, but no account of the ad- 
dresses has been discovered. 

The company thus recruited was assigned to the 
Third Massachusetts Infantry and named "Com- 
pany K." 



276 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

It went into Camp in Lakeville, Mass., on Sept. 
16, 1862, and was the second company of the regi- 
ment to arrive at the camp. It was given a patri- 
otic and affectionate send-off by the people of the 
Bridgewaters, and was escorted to the train and 
from the train at Haskins Station to Camp Joe 
Hooker by the Bridgewater Cornet Band. 

The barracks at Camp Joe Hooker were new. The 
main buildings, twenty in number, were each about 
70 X 25 feet on the floor and nine feet high in the 
walls. They were built of matched boards, planed 
on the inside, with good tight floors, and shingled 
roofs. The bunks were built double "like two sinks, 
one above the other," and each accommodated four 
men, two in the upper and two in the lower berth. 
Each barrack held one hundred men, or a company. 
They were Avell ventilated and comfortable. The 
barracks, cook-houses, officers' quarters, stables, etc., 
fifty buildings in all, were built in one week. 

The company consisted of one hundred and one 
men, exactly the legal maximum for an infantn' 
comjsany. The towns furnishing the men were as 
follows: Bridgewater, thirty-four; East Bridge- 
water, twenty-four; West Bridgewater, twenty-five; 
North Bridgewater. eleven; Easton, four; Middle- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 



boro, one; Boston, one; Gloucester, one; total, one 
hundred and one. It will be seen from the above 
that the members of the company were from con- 
tiguous territory with only two exceptions; First 
Sergt. Winter was imported from Gloucester as a 
trained and drilled man and was almost the only 
man in the company with military experience even 
in the militia, and he had never been in the United 
States service. With him came his friend "Natty" 
Ackerman who hailed from Boston. The remainder 
of the company was recruited amongst friends and 
neighbors. Nearly all were of American parentage, 
and most of them were men of standing in the com- 
munity both before and since the war. They were 
''men of their hands," too, and there are few things 
tliat could not be built, or machines that could not 
be run by members of the company. 

The occupations of the recruits were given as fol- 
lows : Boot and shoe workers in some form, forty- 
six; farmers, seventeen; moulders, seven; machin- 
ists, four; laborers, four; carpenters, three; sales- 
men, three ; students, three ; bookbinders, two ; drug- 
gist, one ; "railroader," one ; civil engineer, one ; sur- 
veyor, one; butcher, one; nailer, one; wheelwright, 
one; painters, two; box maker, one; stone cutter, 
one; teacher, one. 



278 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

The officers were as ignorant of military usages 
as the men, and, as may be supposed, the discipline 
at first was not of the most rigid character. But 
the members of the company as a rule were disposed 
to do the right thing, and perhaps enjoyed them- 
selves better and did just as good service as they 
would have done under more severe officers. The 
men of the company owe a debt of gratitude to their 
officers who were all kind-hearted men and devoted 
to the welfare of the company, and whose mildly 
used authority was much better adapted to a com- 
pany of intelligent men of pronounced Yankee blood 
than would have been that of military martinets. 

Fifty-two members of the company were married 
and forty-nine were single. 

The average age was between twenty -eight and 
twenty-nine years. Twenty were twenty years old 
and under, twenty-four were between twenty and 
twenty-five, nineteen were between twenty-five and 
thirty, twenty -two were between thirty and forty, 
and sixteen were more than forty. 

Company K was the color company throughout its 
service, and its position was therefore on the right 
centre when the regiment was in line of battle. 

The record of the company in the service is not a 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 279 

bloody one. No one was killed, wounded, taken 
prisoner, or missing, and no one deserted. Two 
men died from disease in the service and six men 
were discharged for disability before the regiment 
was mustered out. The story of the regiment as a 
whole will be given elsewhere, and that part of the 
company's history which also means the regimental 
history, has been omitted in this account. Company 
K followed the fortunes of the regiment closely. 
The only time that it was on detached duty, except 
for picket, or service of that nature, was early in its 
service after it arrived in Newborn and before the 
arms had been distributed, when it was ordered to 
some mythical point to build a bridge. After grop- 
ing around outside the picket line, entirely un- 
armed, for two days, the company returned, having 
found the bridge nearly completed. 

The members of the company had an exceptional 
opportunity to see the details of warfare. At the 
Battle of Kinston the company with the regiment 
was in reserve, and, while under fire, was unharmed. 
After the action they had an opportunity, from the 
view point of the victors, to examine a well-fought 
field with many killed, wounded and prisoners, and 
also to explore the captured town of Kinston. 



2«0 HISTOIIY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

At Whitehall the company was again under fire, 
and, as was reported, the inferior character of its 
arms saved it from a more intimate acquaintance 
with the enemy. 

At Goldsboro the company had an opportunity of 
seeing a charge repelled under sensational circum- 
stances and with severe loss to the enemy, a sight 
which many soldiers of longer service have never 
seen. The circumstances of this charge have been 
traditional in the company and the results have 
been much exaggerated, the enemy's loss being set 
all the way from five hundred to fifteen hundred. 
The unadorned facts are that after the burning of 
the bridge and during the withdrawal of the Union 
forces, by a blunder of the enemy a charge was 
made by two regiments of General Clingman's bri- 
gade against a much superior force, and it was the 
fortune of Company K as a part of the regiment, to 
act as guard to Belger's Rhode Island battery, 
which with another light battery had a fair chance 
to destroy the attacking force as it charged up a 
long slope. The Third Regiment lay on the ground 
in front of the battery (which was firing over the 
regiment), and Company K had an unobstructed 
view of the premises, and nothing to do but look on. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 281 

The writer in a letter written at the time estimated 
that the nearest rebel came within fifty rods of the 
regiment. The attacking force consisted of the Fif- 
tj-second North Carolina Regiment, Colonel Mar- 
shall, and the Fiftj-first North Carolina, Colonel 
Allen. These regiments, with two others which did 
not participate in the charge, made the brigade com- 
manded by Gen. Thomas E. Clingman. His report, 
printed in the "Official Records of the Union and 
Confederate Armies," First Series, Vol. XVIII, 
page 117, gives the losses as follows : 

Killed Wounded Missing 

Marshall's Regiment 11 58 10 

Allen's '^ 6 43 8 

Total, 17 101 18 making 

a total loss of 136. The writer has not succeeded 
iu learning the total strength of the two regiments 
at the time of the charge. 

The company's most potent enemies during its 
service were the severe marches to which it was sub- 
jected and the malarious climate. The effects of 
both of these are still felt by many of the survivors. 

On the return of the regiment a public reception 
was given to Company K on Saturday, June 20th, 
at the xlgricultural Hall by citizens of Bridgewater, 



282 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

East and West Bridgewater. The company met at 
the town hall, Bridgewater, and was escorted to the 
Fair grounds by the Bridgewater Cornet Band un- 
der the marshalship of Dr. Asa Millett, where twelve 
or fifteen hundred people had assembled to receive 
it. For the gratification of their friends the sol- 
diers spent about half an hour in drilling. At about 
half past two o'clock, after stacking arms the com- 
pany was drawn up in front of the judges' stand on 
the track to listen to the speech of welcome. The 
president of the day, James Howard, Esq., of West 
Bridgewater, after stating the object of the meeting, 
introduced Hon. B. W. Harris, of East Bridgewater, 
who, in an appropriate speech in behalf of the citi- 
zens, welcomed the soldiers on their return home. 
A procession was then formed which marched to the 
hall to partake of a collation Avhich had been pre- 
pared by the ladies of the several towns. After the 
repast- the company adjourned to the upper hall to 
listen to the speeches. This hall as well as the 
lower was tastefully decorated with flags and pen- 
dants. The soldiers occupied seats directly in front 
of the speakers and were here presented each with 
a bouquet of flowers by the school children, the pre- 
sentation speech having been made by one of the 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 288 

young ladies. Speeches were made by Hon. John A. 
Shaw, Hon. Benjamin W. Harris, and others. 
Later in the afternoon, Major Morrissey entered the 
hall, and, taking his seat on the platform, was re- 
ceived with great applause, Company K giving him 
three hearty cheers. He was then introduced and 
addressed the soldiers. The entertainment was 
closed by singing "America" by the whole audience 
under the direction of Mr. Wilde. 

After the arrival home of the company and before 
it was mustered out came the death of one of its 
members, Mr. James Henry Packard, of North 
Bridgewater (now^ Brockton). He was buried in 
the Marshall's Corner Cemetery with military hon- 
ors from his comrades. 

Twenty members of the company entered the mili- 
tary service after being mustered out of Company 
K. Ten of this number joined Company D, Fifty- 
eighth Massachusetts Infantry, three of them form- 
ing the commissioned officers of the company. Of 
these ten, one was killed in action, five were 
wounded, seven were taken prisoners, of whom two 
died in rebel prisons. All but one of the ten is in- 
cluded in one or more of the above categories, and 
whether the tenth man was taken prisoner or 



284 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

wounded the writer has not been able to learn. The 
remaining ten enlisted in various organizations, but 
none of them lost their lives in tlie service. 

In June, 190G, thirty-six members of Company 
K were known to be living. One has not been heard 
from by his relatives for about twenty years, and 
the remaining sixty-four are known to be dead. The 
commissioned officers are all dead. Of the non-com- 
missioned officers, two corporals survive. Fourteen 
of the surviving men of the company are past labor 
by reason of age or infirmities, or both. Twenty 
are ''still in the ring" pursuing their usual avo- 
cations; one has retired, and one is in the Soldiers 
Home, in Togus, Maine. 

The company was mustered into the United 
States service on Sept. 23, 1862, and was mustered 
out on June 26, 1863. The members of Company K 
were mustered on the above dates unless otherwise 
noted. 



Corrected Roster of Company K. 

Samuel Bates, Captain; born in East Bridge- 
water, June 3, 1828. Boot-cutter; married; com- 
missioned Sept. 3, 1862; died in \yhitman, Mass., 
Sept. 26, 1879. After the war, Capt. Bates passed 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 



285 



several years in the employ of the interior depart- 
ment in Washington, ending in September, 1879. 

Nathan Fobbs, First Lieutenant; salesman; 
twenty-two; single. Enlisted from Bridgewater. 
Commissioned Sept. 3, 1862; died in East Orange, 
N. J., Oct. 14, 1899. Lieutenant Fobes was a travel- 
ing salesman for Boston and New York merchants. 

Charles E. Churchill^ Second Lieutenant ; thir- 
ty-eight; married; shoe-cutter. Enlisted from West 
Bridgewater. Commissioned Sept. 3, 1862. Lieu- 
tenant Churchill served as aid on the staff of Brig.- 
Gen. J. Jourdan from Feb. 26, 1863, until the return 
of the regiment. Lieutenant Churchill entered the 
service the second time and served as captain of 
Company D, Fifty-eighth Massachusetts Infantry. 
He was wounded and taken prisoner Sept. 3, 1864, 
and discharged for disability, Feb. 10, 1865. Lieu- 
tenant Churchill lived in West Bridgewater, and 
died there on Feb. 4, 1901. 

George F. Winter, First Sergeant; twenty-nine; 
bookbinder; married. Enlisted from Gloucester; 
died in Gloucester of heart disease Jan. 9, 1886. He 
v/as a bookbinder by occupation. 

John B. Fisher, Sergeant; twenty -one; law stu- 
dent; single. Enlisted from East Bridgewater; 



286 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

died June 13, 1882, in East Bridgewater. He also 
served in the Thirty-sixth United States Colored 
Troops, known as the Second North Carolina Regi- 
ment. 

Linus E. Hayward^ Sergeant; forty; married; 
farmer. Enlisted from West Bridgewater. En- 
listed a second time in the Fifty-eighth Massachu- 
setts as first lieutenant and was promoted cap- 
tain. Was wounded and taken prisoner. Was 
exchanged and returned home with the regiment. 
Died in West Bridgewater, July 16, 1904. 

Samuel E. Hawes, Sergeant; salesman; twenty- 
five; single. Enlisted from Bridgewater. Died in 
Brockton, Feb. 9, 1886. 

Josephus L. Freeman, Sergeant ; thirty-five ; shoe- 
cutter; married. Enlisted from West Bridgewater. 
Lived in Brockton and followed the occupation of 
a mechanic in the shoe manufacturing shops of that 
city. Died in Brockton, March 18, 1892. 

Nahum Washburn^ Jr., Corporal ; twenty-three ; 
single; druggist. Was proprietor of a drug store 
in Bridgewater, and died there Oct. 14, 1893. 

Alfred H. Perkins, Corporal; moulder; thirty- 
one; married. Enlisted from Bridgewater. Pro- 
moted regimental wagoner Dec. 9, 1862. Died in 
Bridgewater, March 8, 1902. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 287 

Thomas P. Ripley^ Corporal; twenty-one; single; 
farmer. Enlisted from West Bridgewater. Car- 
ried on the business of manufacturing boots and 
shoes in Cocheset, West Bridgewater. Died Aug. 
23, 1891, in West Bridgewater. 

Elijah Hinkley, Corporal; '^railroader;" forty- 
four; married. Enlisted from East Bridgewater; 
was a shoemaker, and later a gate tender for the 
Old Colony Railroad Company and its successors, 
until his death, on Dec. 16, 1893, in East Bridge- 
water. 

George M. Keith^ Corporal; thirty-one; married; 
shoemaker. Enlisted from East Bridgewater; w^as 
foreman in shoeshops for seventeen years; superin- 
tendent of Bridgewater Water Company for ten 
years, ending in 1900, and since then president of 
the East Bridgewater Savings Bank. Mr. Keith is 
still living in the house in which he was born in 
East Bridgewater. 

Marcellus G. Howard, Corporal; student; twen- 
ty-five; single. Enlisted from Bridgewater. Cor- 
poral Howard was detailed as a member of the color 
guard and as such carried the State colors. He car- 
ried on the market business in Bridgewater; died of 
consumption in Palatka, Fla., Dec. 24, 1881. 



'J'^^ HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

S"eth B. Edson, Corporal ; surveyor ; twenty- 
seven ; single. Enlisted from East Bridgewater. 
Mr. Edson lived in East Bridgewater, where he car- 
ried on the nursery and farming business. Died 
Feb. 21, 1905, in East Bridgewater. 

Henry Manlby, Corporal ; teacher ; twenty-one ; 
single. Enlisted from North Bridgewater. He is 
a civil engineer, assistant engineer engineering de- 
partment city of Boston. Member American Soci- 
ety of Civil Engineers. Lives in West Roxbury 
(Boston), Mass. 

David P. Reynolds, Private, promoted Corporal, 
Dec. 9, 1862; shoemaker; twenty; single. Enlisted 
from East Bridgewater. Died Sept. 6, 1867, of con- 
sumption, in East Bridgewater. 

Alfred Gurney, Company Wagoner; farmer; 

forty -four. Enlisted from East Bridgewater. Was 

a farmer in East Bridgewater, and died there Feb. 

28, 1901. 

Privates. 

Alden, Caleb, 42; single; farmer. Enlisted from 
Bridgewater. Died in Soldiers Home, in Togus, 
Me., on Jan. 3, 1899. Buried in Bridgewater. 

Alden, Isaac R., painter; 18; single. Enlisted 
from Bridgewater. Was the company drummer; 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 289 

enlisted a second time and served as drummer in 
Company F, Fifty-sixth Massachusetts Infantry; 
has carried on the business of grocer in Bridge- 
water since the war. 

Alden^ Lucius F., 18; single; shoemaker. En- 
listed from West Bridgewater. Carried on the busi- 
ness of shoe manufacturing in Brockton, as a mem- 
ber of the firm of Churchill & Alden for many years. 
Died in Brockton, Dec. 28, 1903. 

Alden, William S., Jr., farmer; 18; single. En- 
listed from Bridgewater. Went to California many 
years ago. His relatives have not heard from him 
for about twenty years. 

Andrews, Manassah Lloyd, machinist; 18; sin- 
gle. Enlisted from Bridgewater. Lives in East 
Bridgewater (Elmwood), in good health, and busily 
employed at his trade. 

Ackerman, Nathaniel, bookbinder; 38; mar- 
ried. Enlisted from Boston. Discharged for dis- 
ability, March 1, 1863. Died . 

Barney, Hial, farmer; single; 26. Enlisted from 
Bridgewater. He carried on the meat business in 
Wareham, Mass., for twenty-five years. Was select- 
man, assessor, and overseer of the poor in Ware- 

19 



290 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

ham for six years. Retired from business in 1891. 
Lives in Manchester, N. H. Address, 708 Pine St. 

Bartlett^ Ezbkiel R., shoe stitcher; 22; single. 
Enlisted from West Bridgewater; absent sick when 
company was mustered out. Honorably discharged 
June 26, 1863. Enlisted and served in Company C, 
Sixtieth Regiment, 100 days' service; followed busi- 
ness of workman in shoe factory. Lives in East 
Bridgewater. 

Beals^ Charles T., shoemaker; 18; single. En- 
listed from East Bridgewater. Has been a carriage 
painter for thirty-six years; has lived in Massachu- 
setts, Ohio, and California. Is now living at No. 17 
West Second St., Mansfield, Ohio, in poor health, 
his lower limbs being paralyzed. 

Beaton^ Jambs W., shoemaker; 22; married. En- 
listed from East Bridgewater. Lives in Boston 
(Dorchester) ; has been a teamster and stage driver. 
Is in the employ of the New York and New Haven 
Railroad Company as gate-tender. 

Bird, Henry W., shoemaker; single; 19. En- 
listed from East Bridgewater, lives in East Bridge- 
water. 

Blackman, Andrew G., carpenter; 29; married. 
Enlisted from East Bridgewater. Has worked in 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 291 

a shoesliop for twenty-five years. Lives in East 
Bridgewater, 

Brainard, John M., 39; shoemaker; married. 
Enlisted from West Bridgewater. He was drowned 
in the stream near his residence in East Bridge- 
water, on Oct. 23, 1878. 

Briggs^ George D., shoemaker; 19; single. En- 
listed from Bridgewater. Also served as corporal 
in Eighteenth Unattached Company, Massachusetts 
Infantry; one year's service. Has been foreman in 
shoe factory and is now janitor of The Union Trust 
Building, Brockton, Mass. 

Briggs^ Walter C, salesman; 18; single. En- 
listed from West Bridgewater. Served in Twenti- 
eth Unattached Company for one year, and in 
Eleventh United States Infantry. Died . 

Caldwell^ George, shoe cutter; 43; married. En- 
listed from West Bridgewater. Died in the service 
from disease in the Foster Hospital, Newbern, N. 
C, on June 7, 1863. 

Caldwell^ Charles H., shoemaker; 20; married. 
Enlisted from West Bridgewater. Lives in West 
Bridgewater, near Westdale Station. 

Caldwell^ Melvin^ shoe cutter; 18; single. En- 
listed from West Bridgewater. Died in West 
Bridgewater, May 25, 1864. 



292 HISTORY OP THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

CoNANT, Seth W., farmer; 40; married. Enlisted 
from Bridgewater. Enlisted and was mustered into 
United States service as private in Company D, Fif- 
ty-eighth Regiment, March 12, 1804, and was killed 
in action in front of Petersburg, July 30, 1864. 

In Bridgewater in the Rebellion, a book written 
and published by Arthur Hooper, a member of Com- 
pany K, it is related that after the Battle of Spott- 
sylvania, May 12, 1864, Conant was detailed with 
others to bury the dead. The first one found was 
his son Lucius, a private in the same company. 

CopELAND, Ezra S., farmer; 27; single. Enlisted 
from West Bridgewater. He was a member of the 
Pioneer Corps. Died March 2, 1874. 

CoPELAND^ John, butcher; 43; married. Enlisted 
from West Bridgewater. Lived on his farm in West 
Bridgewater and died there on June 3, 1004. 

Coughlin^ Bartholomew,, laborer; 29; married. 
Enlisted from East Bridgewater. Died in Bridge- 
water Mar. 12, 1871. 

CouGHLiN, George T., farmer; 18; single. En- 
listed from East Bridgewater. Lives in Brockton; 
has carried on a real estate business and is a spe- 
cial police officer. 

Crafts, Francis T., machinist; 21; single. En- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 293 

listed from Bridgewater. Has been a teacher and 
farmer; is a clerk in the office of the Secretary of 
State, State House, Boston. Resides in Quincy, 
Mass. 

CusHMAN^ Newell F., carpenter; 38; married. 
Enlisted from Bridgewater. Enlisted and served in 
Company D, Fifty-eighth Massachusetts Infantry. 
Is an inmate of the Soldiers Home, Togus, Maine. 

Davenport, Augustus H., bootmaker; 24; mar- 
ried. Enlisted from North Bridgewater. Lives in 
Brockton, Mass. 

Davenport^ Nathaniel M., shoemaker; 2G; mar- 
ried. Enlisted from North Bridgewater; also 
served as corporal in Company C, Sixtieth Massa- 
chusetts Regiment, 100 days' service. Proprietor of 
Hillside Farm (hotel), Jefferson, N. H. Post office 
address. Standing, N. H. 

Delano^ Henry H., shoemaker; 22; single. En- 
listed from Easton. Was at home in Easton sick 
when the regiment was mustered out. Is a box and 
trunkmaker. Lives at 226 B Washington St., Mai- 
den, Mass. 

Dyson, William A., shoemaker; 28; married. 
Enlisted from East Bridgewater. Lived in East 
Bridgewater and was well known in all nearbv io- 



294 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

calities as a tin peddler. Died in East Bridgewater 
May 31, 1899. 

Ellis^ Waterman J., shoemaker; 36; married. 
Enlisted from East Bridgewater. Died in Pem- 
broke, Mass., Apr. 3, 1891. 

French, Albert W., moulder; 40; married. En- 
listed from West Bridgewater. He was popularly 
known as "Old Hockomock" from the name of the 
extensive meadows near his home in West Bridge- 
water. He was a heavy and strong man and was a 
member of the Pioneer Corps. Died . 

French, George H., moulder; 18; single. En- 
listed from West Bridgewater. Died in West 
Bridgewater, Sept. 13, 1879. 

Fryes, James, laborer; 42; married. Enlisted 
from West Bridgewater. Absent sick when the 
company was mustered out. Died . 

Hancock^ Elijah, farmer; 42; married. Enlisted 
from West Bridgewater. Was superintendent of 
the Town Farm in West Bridgewater for twenty- 
five years, and also superintendent of the Town 
Farm of Sandwich, Mass., for fifteen years. Died 
in Brockton, Mass., April 7, 1906. 

Hardin, Luther, shoemaker; 37; married. En- 
listed from East Bridgewater. Lived in East 
BridgeAvater and died there Mar. 7, 1899. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 295 

Hayward^ Beza^ 44; nailer; married. Enlisted 
from Bridgewater. He was a farmer and died in 
West Bridgewater, Nov. 7, 1895. 

Hayward^ Edwin, machinist; 22; single. Enlisted 
from Bridgewater. Died at Soldiers Home, Togus, 
Me., Nov. 21, 1900, and his remains were sent to 
Bridgewater for interment. 

HiNSMAN^ William Van Buren^ shoemaker; 43; 
married. Enlisted from Bridgewater. Was the 
company officers' cook. Has lived mostly in Boston 
since the war, serving as house agent and janitor. 
Present address, 15 Pierce Street, Norfolk Downs, 
Quincy, Mass. 

Holmes^ John, shoemaker; 38; married. Enlisted 
from Bridgewater. He was living in Bridgewater, 
in his own house, in July, 1905, but made his home 
with a daughter in Whitman, Mass. He was the 
company cook, and performed his duties as such to 
the entire satisfaction of the company, and his cook 
house was always a model for the company cooks of 
the regiment. Died in Brigewater March 17,1906, 
age eighty one years and five months. 

Hooper^ Arthur, painter; 19; single. Enlisted 
from Bridgewater. Promoted Regimental Commis- 
sary Sergeant, Oct. 27, 1862. Enlisted and served 



296 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

as Commissary Sergeant in Fifty-eighth Massachu- 
setts Regiment from Jan. 14, 1864, to June 14, 1865. 
Lives in Dorchester (Boston), Mass. Clerk and di- 
rector of John Carter & Co. (incorporated), dealers 
in paper, 100 Federal St., Boston. 

Howard^ Cyrus S., shoemaker; 27; married. En- 
listed from East Bridgewater. Has lived in 
Easton; at present living in Middleboro, Mass. 

Jones, Samuel, farmer; 38; single. Enlisted 
from Middleboro. Died in Newbern (in Foster 
Hospital), of measles, May 26, 1863. Buried at 
Hillside Cemetery, Bridgewater. 

Kane^ John, farmer ; 21 ; single. Enlisted from 
West Bridgewater. Lives in East Bridgewater. 

Keith, Edgar D., shoemaker; 36; single. En- 
listed from Bridgewater. Died Jan. 9, 1896, in 
Bridgewater. 

Keith, George T., civil engineer ; 19 ; single. En- 
listed from Bridgewater. Is a civil engineer living 
in Clean, N. Y. Member American Society Civil 
Engineers. Is resident engineer Barge Canal, Gates, 
Monroe County, N. Y. 

King, Francis D., wheelwright; 39; married. En- 
listed from Bridgewater. Kept a public stable in 
Bridgewater and was a deputy sheriff. Died in 
Bridgewater, July 10, 1896. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. '^^ ' 

Kingman, Hosea, 19; student; single. Enlisted 
from Bridgewater. Was detailed on the Signal 
Corps and served tliereon from Nov. 26, 1862, to 
June 25, 1863. Mr. Kingman was an eminent law- 
yer and was easily the leader of the Plyiiiouth 
County bar. He was a member of the Metropolitan 
Sewerage Commission at the time of his death. 
Died in Bridgewater, March 29, 1900. 

A memorial tablet on the walls of the building of 
the Old Bridgewater Historical Society in West 
Bridgewater, reads as follows: "Hosea Kingman, 
Born in Bridgewater, April 11, 1843, enlisted in 
State Volunteers, 1862; mustered out of service 
1863; graduated at Dartmouth College, 1864. Ad- 
mitted to the bar 1866, appointed judge 1878. Died 
in Bridgewater, 1900. He inherited patriotism 
from his ancestors and served his country in the 
field before his majority. A faithful and devoted 
friend, a good citizen, affable, free in manner and 
absorbed in his profession. He was a discreet and 
wise counsellor, a powerful advocate with keen 
judgment. Towns, counties, and states, sought his 
services." 

Lackey, George A., painter; 23; married. En- 
listed from Easton. He also served as private in 



298 HISTORY OP THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Company H, Seventh Massaolmsetts Regiment, and 
as sergeant in Compan}' D., Fifty-eighth Regiment. 
In the Battle of Spottsylvania Court House, May 
4, 1864, Sergeant Lackey was severely wounded, los- 
ing his left leg. He was discharged for disability 
March 11, 1865. Has lived in Easton since the war, 
was representative in the Massachusetts Legisla- 
ture in 1883, and has been a member of the Board 
of Registration of Voters in Easton since 1884. Is 
proprietor of a general store and janitor of school. 
Address, South Easton, Mass. 

Lincoln, Isaac H., shoemaker; 21; married. En- 
listed from East Bridgewater. He was absent sick 
at East Bridgewater when the company was mus- 
tered out. He also served in the baud of the Twen- 
tieth Massachusetts Regiment, and in the Fourth 
Heavy Artillery. Shoemaker and carpenter; lives 
in East Bridgewater. 

Marshall, Albert L., farmer; 19; single. En- 
listed from North Bridgewater; also served as pri- 
vate in Fourteenth Massachusetts Battery from 
Feb. 27, 1864, to June 16, 1865. He is a patient in 
the State Insane Asylum, Taunton, Mass. 

Mitchell, Henry M., carpenter; 27; married. 
Enlisted from West Bridgewater. Died in Oak- 
land, California, June 13, 1904. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 299 

MoRSB^ Luther M., bootmaker; 26; married. En- 
listed from North Bridgewater. Died in Lynn, 
Mass., Oct. 13, 1894. 

Murphy^ William T., farmer; 19; single. En- 
listed from Bridgewater. Also served in Company 
D, Fifty -eighth Massachusetts Infantry; was taken 
prisoner in battle in front of Petersburg, July 30, 
1864. Died a prisoner of war at Danville, Va., 
Nov. 27, 1864. 

Norton^ Joseph C, farmer; 43; married. En- 
listed from Bridgewater. He was the company 
fifer, also served as fifer in Company C, Fifty-sixth 
Massachusetts Infantry, where his name is recorded 
as "Naughton." Died in Bridgewater, Aug. 3, 1887. 

O'Neil^ John, moulder; 27; single. Enlisted 
from West Bridgewater. 

Osborne^ Isaac P., bootmaker; 37; married. En- 
listed from North Bridgewater. He was detailed 
in command of a gang of forty negroes and built a 
blockhouse and numerous corduroy roads near New- 
bern. Isaac, as he was always called, was a great 
dancer, and, with the weight of eighty years, is still 
light enough on his feet to be the envy of many a 
young man. Lives in Brockton, and has been a 
member of the Common Council in that city. 



300 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Packard, Bradford, farmer ; 44 ; married. En- 
listed from West Bridgewater. Lived and died on 
his farm in West Bridgewater. Died Aug. 26, 1884. 

Packard, James H., bootmaker; 27; married. En- 
listed from North Bridgewater. Discharged for 
disability, March 12, 1863, and died in North 
Bridgewater, June 23, 1863. His death occurred 
during the few days' interval between the arrival of 
the regiment in Massachusetts and before it was 
mustered out. He was buried with military honors 
in the Marshall's Corner Cemetery. 

Packard, Nathan F., farmer ; 24 ; single. Enlisted 
fiom North Bridgewater. Lived in North Bridge- 
water, and died there of consumption, Oct. 1, 1873. 

PnELAN, George, bootmaker; 27; married. En- 
listed from North Bridgewater; died in Raynham, 
Mass., June 16, 1903. 

QuiGLEY, Patrick, laborer ; 36 ; married. En- 
listed from East Bridgewater. He also served in 
Company E, Fifty-eighth Regiment. Died in East 
Bridgewater, June 30, 1894. 

Reed, John N., boxmaker; 20; single. Enlisted 
from East Bridgewater. Lives in Brockton and is 
employed in the insurance business. 

Reynolds, Josiah E., shoemaker; 19; single. En- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. ^01 

listed from East Bridgewater. Died in East Bridge- 
water of consumption, Oct. 4, 1879. Also served in 
Company C, Sixtieth Regiment, 100 days. 

Reynolds, Elisha, laborer; 44; married. En- 
listed from North Bridgewater. Discharged for 

disability March 27, 1863. Died . 

Ripley, Edward H., moulder; 23; single. En- 
listed from Bridgewater. Died in Soldiers Home 
in Togus,.Me., June 5, 1905. 

Sampson, Ezra F., shoemaker; 34; married. En- 
listed from East Bridgewater. Discharged for dis- 
ability. May 9, 1863. Lives at East Bridgewater; 
was a member of the "Pioneer Corps." 

Sharpe, Edward O., shoemaker; 34; married. En- 
listed from East Bridgewater. Died June 3, 1889, 
in East Bridgewater. 

Shaw, Asa T., shoemaker; 29; married. Enlisted 
from West Bridgewater. Also enlisted in Com- 
pany B, Fifty-eighth Massachusetts, and died a 
prisoner of war at Salisbury, N. C, Dec. 22, 1864. 

Shaw, George T., shoemaker; 26; married. En- 
listed from West Bridgewater. Lives at Cocheset, 
in West Bridgewater. Is proprietor of a grocery 

store. 

Shipman, John, moulder; 34; single. Enlisted 



302 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

from West Bridgewater. Shipman was the com- 
pany armorer. The quality of the rifles furnished 
were such as to make his office no sinecure, and a 
large amount of work was necessary to put the 
arms in condition to be used at all. He was, how- 
ever, equal to the occasion, as he was a trained man, 
and, if necessary, could make any part of a rifle. 
He enlisted in Company D, Fifty-eighth Regiment, 
was wounded in both legs in the Battle of the Wil- 
lerness, and was taken prisoner on May 12, 1864. 
He was a prisoner in Andersonville and other pris- 
ons for six months and nineteen days, and when ex- 
changed weighed only eighty pounds. He was a large 
man and his usual weight was 200 pounds. He died 
in West Bridgewater, Dec. 3, 1905. 

Snell^ Issacher K., shoemaker; 22; married. 
Enlisted from Easton. Discharged March 12, 1863, 
for disability. Lived in Brockton and Boston, and 
died in Boston, Oct. 11, 1902; buried in Cocheset, 
West Bridgewater. 

Sturtevant^ Dexter M., farmer; 39; married. 
Enlisted from Bridgewater. Absent sick when the 
company was mustered out. Honorably discharged 
June 23, 1863. Lives in Bridgewater; has always 
been a farmer there and has kept the grocery store 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. B03 

at "Sturtevant's Corners," Bridgewater. When the 
writer called on him in the last days of June, 1905, 
he found him engaged in mowing with a scythe. 

Sturtevant^ Zenas W., shoemaker; 39; married. 
Enlisted from East Bridgewater. Absent sick at 
East Bridgewater when the company was mustered 
out. Lived in East Bridgewater, and died there 
Aug. 21, 1899. 

TowNSEND^ John P. ; machinist ; 26 ; single. En- 
listed from Bridgewater. Was commissioned sec- 
ond lieutenant in Company D, Fifty -eighth Massa- 
chusetts Infantry, Mar. 2, 1864; promoted first lieu- 
tenant, Aug. 8, 1864, and captain. May 3, 1865. Was 
taken prisoner in battle near Poplar Spring Church, 
Sept. 30, 1864; was confined in Petersburg, Libby 
Prison, Salisbury, N. C, and Danville, Va. Re- 
leased Feb. 22, 1865; came home on furlough, re- 
turned to the regiment Apr. 9, 1865, and was mus- 
tered out of the service July 18, 1865. Mr. Town- 
send is foreman of a large machine shop and foun- 
dry in Bridgewater. 

Washburn^ John M., shoemaker; 19; single. En- 
listed from Bridgewater. Has been in business 
mostly in the west; now with the American Clock 
Company, Chicago. Lives in Chicago; address, 
2885 North 46th Street, Jefferson Station. 



304 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Washburn^ Nathan H., stonecutter; 26; single. 
Enlisted from Bridgewater. Lives in Brockton, 
''Campello." Has been employed in various capaci- 
ties in shoe factories since the war. 

Washburn^ Selden M., cutter; 26; single. En- 
listed from West Bridgewater. Has been employed 
in shoe factory. Died in Bridgewater, Feb. 8, 1900. 

WiNSLow^ John A., moulder; 27; married. En- 
listed from Bridgewater. Enlisted in Company D, 
Fifty-eighth Regiment. Arthur Hooper in Bridge- 
ivater in the Rebellion gives the following account 
of his service : "Wounded in the head in the battle 
of Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864; returned to his regi- 
ment and served faithfully until he was taken pris- 
oner Sept. 30, 1864, in battle near Poplar Spring 
Church. Was taken to Richmond, Va., and from 
there to Salisbury, N. C, where he was confined 
about four months; returned to Richmond and was 
released Feb. 22, 1865, and went to Annapolis, Md. 
Winslow was a man six feet, four inches tall, and 
weighed 165 pounds at the time of his capture, but 
was reduced to seventy-five pounds while in rebel 
prisons. He remained at Annapolis about a month 
when he was able to come home on a furlough 
where he remained until Apr. 9, 1865; returning to 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 305 

his regiment he remained until the regiment was 
ordered home and mustered out of service July 14, 
1865, as corporal. He lived in Bridgewater and 
died there on Apr. 11, 1887. 

Wentv^orth, Horace, shoemaker; 45; married. 
Enlisted from Bridgewater. He was John Holmes's 
efficient assistant in the cook house. His two sons, 
Horace E. and Lucian, were soldiers in the same 
company. Died in Bridgewater, Mar. 3, 1896. 

Wentworth, Horace E., shoemaker; 19; single. 
Enlisted from Bridgewater. Died Sept. 11, 1876, 
in East Bridgewater. 

Wentworth, Lucian T., shoemaker; 18; single. 
Enlisted from Bridgewater. Died at Caspar, Wy- 
oming, Feb. 8, 1904. 

Wilbur^ Shepard B., shoemaker; 22; single. En- 
listed from North Bridgewater. Died in Brockton, 
July 3, 1899. 

Whitman^ Joseph M., shoemaker; 22. Enlisted 
from West Bridgewater. Lives in East Bridge- 
water. His was the last name shouted at roll call, 
and as he was the shortest man in the company his 
post was on the extreme left, the last in the ranks. 

20 



30G HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

CHAPTER XIV. 

History of the Third Regiment^ Massachusetts 
Volunteer Militia Association. 

The surviving members of the Third Regiment, 
Massachusetts Volunteer Militia met at Dighton 
Rock, Simmons Grove, August, 1890. Invitations 
had been sent to all the comrades and a goodly num- 
ber were present, the object of the meeting being the 
formation of an association to perpetuate past 
events, and to hold together the members of the x\s- 
sociation until they should answer the last roll call. 

Col. S. P. Richmond was chosen temporary chair- 
man and George F. Coughlin, clerk. N. P. Norton, 
B. S. Atwood, E. Grant, William Mason, Patrick 
Cannavan, B. F. Lewis, Otis A. Baker, J. M. Lyle 
and L. F. Alden were chosen a committee to nomi- 
nate officers for a permanent organization. They re- 
ported as follows: President — Col. Silas P. Rich- 
mond; Vice-Presidents — Capt. Andrew R. Wright, 
Maj. Thomas B. Griffith, Maj. William E. Mason; 
Secretary — Chaplain Charles A. Snow; Treasurer — 
Sergt. James C. Hitch. 

The report was adopted and the officers nominated 
were declared elected by the temporary chairman, 
Col. S. P. Richmond. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 307 

The following were chosen an Executive Commit- 
tee : C. P. Lyon, C. D. Copeland, R. A. Soule, J. L. 
Wilber, J, W. Hammond, B. S. Atwood, F. M. Mc- 
Graw, P. Cannavah, J. Gibbs, C. E. Churchill. 

The Fruit Growers Association of Bristol County 
served a bountiful clam dinner, which was highly 
appreciated by the comrades. At the afternoon ses- 
sion it was voted that the Executive Committee se- 
cure some design for an Association badge. After 
voting that the time and place of the next meeting 
be left with the Executive Committee, the meeting 
adjourned and the comrades expressed their joy at 
being granted once more the privilege of meeting 
each other. 

C. A. Snow, Secretary. 



The second meeting of the Association was held 
at Fort Phoenix, Fairhaven, July 30, 1891. 

The address of the President, Col. S. P. Richmond, 
was most hearty, cheering and encouraging. He ex- 
horted the boys to continue the Association meet- 
ings so long as two were able to meet together. 

The Executive Committee asked for more time to 
complete arrangements for Association badge. Com- 
rades George A. Grant, of Brockton ; Chase, of Fall 



308 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

River; and B. F. Atwood, of Whitman, were ap- 
pointed a special committee to secure badge. 

It was voted to secure a record book. It was voted 
that the Executive Committee consider the feasibil- 
ity of an excursion to and over the old battlefields in 
North Carolina, and report at the next meeting. It 
was voted that the present board of officers continue 
for another year and that the several companies 
elect a secretary to aid the secretary of the Associa- 
tion, and that the last named officer be allowed a 
salary of |25. The treasurer's report showed a bal- 
ance on hand of |22.45. It was voted that the ex- 
penses incurred by the secretary for printing, etc., 
be paid from the funds of the treasury. 

After dinner the members present with their fam- 
ilies to the number of over four hundred listened to 
an excellent address by Professor Andrew Ingra- 
ham, of Company I. 

The meeting adjourned to meet at the call of the 
Executive Committee. 

Charles A. Snow, f^ecrctary. 



The third meeting of the Association was held at 
Onset, July 28, 1892. 

The business session opened at 11.30 a. m., Col. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 309 

S. P. Richmond in the chair. His address of wel- 
come was received with applause. The records of 
the last meeting were read and approved. A letter 
from Treasurer Hitch regretting his inability to be 
present, and declining re-election was received. His 
report showed |35.70 in the treasury. The report 
was accepted and placed on file. The committee on 
badge reported that they had secured a badge. This 
was adopted by the Association, and members gave 
orders for badges to the committee. The Executive 
Committee reported the changes during the year by 
reason of resignations and deaths. 

After enjoying a splendid shore dinner, two hun- 
dred and twenty-five persons being present, the As- 
sociation was called to order at 2.30 p. m. It was 
voted that the expenses for printing be paid from 
the treasury funds. Lieutenants Gibbs and Lyon, 
who were appointed by the president to collect 
funds, reported having received |15.3G. It was 
voted that the present board of ofiicers be elected 
to serve another year. The resignation of Sergeant 
Hitch was unanimously rejected. Sergeant Hitch 
positively declining, the Executive Committee were 
authorized to fill all vacancies which may occur dur- 
ing the year from any cause. It was voted that the 
next Association meeting be held in Brockton. The 



olO HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

committee on badges were ordered to contract for 
two hundred badges. The President and comrades 
Ingraham, Taber, and Alden, were elected a com- 
mittee to prepare memorials of those members who 
have died during the year. 

The meeting adjourned at 3.15 p. m. 

Charles A. Snow^ Chaplain and Secretary. 



The Third Regimental Association met at Brock- 
ton, July 27, 1893. They were received royally by 
Fletcher Webster Post, G. A. R., who entertained 
them in their Post Hall, presenting each with a neat 
white badge bearing the inscription, "Brockton, 
Third Massachusetts Regimental Association, 
1893." 

After the exchange of greetings, quite a number 
meeting their comrades for the first time since the 
mustering out of the regiment thirty years ago, the 
members of the Association took the electrics to 
Highland Park, where the business of the day was 
transacted. 

At 11 A. M. the meeting was called to order by the 
president, who in his address emphasized the neces- 
sity and the duty of the living to stand firm and ex- 
hibit the spirit of fraternity, loyalty, and charity. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 311 

ever keeping in mind those noble principles of pat- 
riotism which prompted them to enlist in the ser- 
vice of our country. 

The report of the last meeting was read and 
adopted. The treasurer reported cash on hand at 
the beginning of the present year, |37.40; paid out 
|6.25; balance on hand, |31.15. The report was 
adopted. Comrade Atwood reported that two hun- 
dred badges had been procured, and fifty were still 
on hand for members who wished to purchase. His 
report was accepted. It was voted that the names 
of deceased members be placed on the Roll of Honor, 
and that notice of the same be sent to the family of 
each. It was voted that the present ofiicers be con- 
tinued another year. They are as follows: Presi- 
dent — Col. Silas P. Richmond; Vice-Presidents — 
Capt. A. R. Wright, Maj. T. B. Griffith, Maj. W. E. 
Mason; Treasurer — J. C. Hitch; Secretary and 
Chaplain — C. A. Snow. Capt. A. R. Wright was 
added to the Executive Committee. Executive 
Committee— C. P. Lyon, B. S. Atwood, S. F. Bray- 
ton, R. A. Soule, P. Cannavan, J. L. Wilber, J. 
Gibbs, A. Ingraham, C. E. Churchill, G. A. Grant, 
T. B. Griffith, A. R. Wright, C. C. Doten and A. S. 
Cushman. 

Comrades Gibbs and Lyon were appointed to so- 



312 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

licit funds from the members, and tliey succeeded 
to the amount of |45. It was voted that the next 
meeting be held in Plymouth on the last Thursday 
in July, 1894. 

Business being ended the Association adjourned 
at 12.15 p. M., and the comrades sat down to tables 
in the grove, where a splendid dinner had been pre- 
pared by the Fletcher Webster Women's Relief 
Corps, No. 7. The comrades will long remember the 
cordial greetings of the G. A. R. Post and the W. R. 
C. of Brockton. 

Charles A. Snow, Secretary. 



Plymouth, July 26, 1894. 

The place and time for the Association Meeting 
was all that comrades could desire. The hot wave 
was softened by a refreshing breeze from the bay; 
every one seemed happy. Members of the Associa- 
tion and their friends to the number of two hundred 
were present. The hall of Collingwood Post, G. A. 
R., was tendered as headquarters for the Associa- 
tion. 

The business session was called at 11 a. m. Brief 
but cheerful remarks were made by the president, 
and his youngest son Mark Harrison was unani- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. '^^'^ 

mously voted an honorary member of the Associa- 
tion. The records of the last meeting ^yere read 
and approved. The treasurer's report showed all 
bills paid and |12.64 in the treasury. The commit- 
tee to solicit funds reported |23.43, with all ex- 
penses paid. The present board of officers were re- 
elected for the ensuing year. It was voted that our 
next meeting be held in Bridgewater on the last 
Thursday in July, 1894. The usual vote of thanks 
was given to Collingwood Post, G. A. R., for the use 
of their hall. The meeting adjourned at 12 m. 

After enjoying an excellent dinner the comrades 
visited Pilgrim Hall, by invitation from C. C. Doten, 
and other places of historic interest in Old Ply- 
mouth received their share of attention. 

Charles A. Snow, Secretary.. 



Bridgewater, July 25, 1895. 
The annual reunion of the Third Regiment Asso- 
ciation was held in Bridgewater with Post 205, G. 
A. R., in its hall. In the absence of the president 
and vice-presidents, Lieut. Charles P. Lyon was 
chosen president pro tern. Vernon Wade, E. T. Chap- 
man and B. S. Atwood were appointed to arrange 
for the reunion in 1896. Sergt. B. S. Atwood was 



314 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

chosen secretary pro tern, and Maj. Thomas B. Grif- 
fith was chosen treasurer pro tern. Sergt. M. Bon- 
ney was elected on the committee for reunion of 
1896. Eesolutions of sympathy to the family of 
our late treasurer, Sergt. J. C. Hitch, were ordered 
sent to New Bedford. The usual G. A. R. collation 
was served to the comrades by the entertaining 
Post. Mr. King, son of Comrade King, of the As- 
sociation, invited the comrades to ride through the 
town in barges provided by him. A vote of thanks 
was given to Mr. King, also to Mr. Vaughn for colla- 
tion and to Post 205 for use of its hall. Mr. 
Vaughn was voted an honorary member of the As- 
sociation. 

Owing to the heavy rain in the morning the at- 
tendance was small. No action was taken to re- 
elect officers as the By-laws of the Association re- 
quired the old officers to retain their positions until 
others were elected to fill their places. 

B. S. Atwood^ Secretary pro tern. 

Lincoln Park, July 29, 1896. 
The Association met to-day in this attractive re- 
sort. The order of the day was called at 11.30 a. m.^ 
Col. S. P. Richmond in the chair. In his address of 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 31^ 

welcome he admonished every comrade to maintain 
the existence of the Association by attending its 
meetings. Prayer was offered by Chaplain Snow. 
The records of the two previous meetings were read 
and approved. It was voted that a Roster of the 
Association be printed and a copy be sent to each 
company secretary for distribution. It was voted 
that we meet next year at Dighton Rock Park. The 
treasurer's report showed all bills paid and a bal- 
ance of 114.06 on hand. Comrades Gibbs and Lyon 
reported that they had solicited |19.45, making the 
amount now in the treasury |33.51. 

The election of officers as follows: President- 
Silas P. Richmond; Vice-Presidents— Capt. A. R. 
Wright, Maj. T. B. Griffith, Maj. William E. Mason; 
Treasurer— Lieutenant Joseph Gibbs; Secretary 
and Chaplain— C. A. Snow ; Executive Committee- 
Charles P. Lyon, B. S. Atwood, S. F. Brayton, Ru- 
fus Soule, Patrick Cannavan, J. L. Wilber, Joseph 
Gibbs, Andrew Ingraham, George M. Keith, Geo. A. 
Grant, A. R. Wright, C. C. Doten, A. S. Cushman 
and T. B. Griffith. 

A good dinner Avas served. The History of Com- 
pany A was read by Lieut. C. P. Lyon ; Company D, 
by Capt. A. R. Wright; Company E, by Maj. W. E, 
Mason. The meeting adjourned. 

Charles A. Snow, Secretary. 



816 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

DiGHTON Rock, July 29, 1897. 

The Association met at Digliton Rock Park this 
day. Owing to the rain only thirty were present. 
The order of the day was called at 12.15. Prayer, 
by Chaplain Snow. The welcome words of the 
president were timely and to the point. It was 
voted that the funds in the treasury did not war- 
rant the publication of Association Roster. Treas- 
urer Gibbs reported having received |33.50 ; paid 
out, 110.73; balance on hand, |22.77. Dighton 
Pvock Park was suggested to the Executive Commit- 
tee as the place of our next meeting. A splendid 
shore dinner was enjoyed by the members of the As- 
sociation and others. 

At the two p. M. meeting the old board of officers 
were re-elected. The afternoon was bright, and the 
comrades expressed their appreciation of the place, 
and the satisfaction of meeting again. 

Charles Snow^ Secretary. 



The Third Regiment Association held its annual 
meeting at Dighton Rock Park, July 28, 1898. The 
order of business was called at 10.30 a. m., Presi- 
dent Richmond in the chair. Capt. A. R. Wright 
was chosen assistant secretary. Prayer, by Chap- 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 317 

lain Snow. Words of welcome by the president. 
The treasurer reported |8.88 on hand ; all bills paid 
to date. The old board of officers were re-elected 
with the exception of Maj. T. B. Griffith, who died 
during the year. Capt. O. A. Baker was chosen to 
fill the vacancy. George A. Grant was chosen sec- 
retary pro tern and George M. Keith was added to 
the Executive Committee. Captain Baker and Lieu- 
tenant Lyon were chosen a committee to solicit 
funds. They reported |21.51 contributed. At 12 
M. the President declared a recess until 1.30 p. m. 
Full justice was done to the ample dinner by the 
comrades and their friends. 

At the appointed hour the Association reassem- 
bled. The place of the next meeting was left with 
the Executive Committee. A vote of thanks was 
tendered to the officers for their services. It was 
voted that an expression be made of the respect and 
esteem of the character and efficient service of the 
late David W. Wardrop, colonel of the Third Mas- 
sachusetts three months' men. Remarks were made 
by Major Cushman and Colonel Richmond. The 
meeting adjourned at 2.30. 

George A. Grant^ Secretary pro tern. 



818 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

The Association met in Brockton, July 27, 1899. 
They were given a royal welcome. Business ses- 
sion at 10.45. The President, in his address, refer- 
ring to the soldiers of the Spanish war, while com- 
plimenting them for their patriotism and courage, 
said, "But they are hardly to be compared with the 
rank and file of the soldiers of '61 to '65." 

The records of the last meeting were read and 
adopted. The treasurer reported |10.57 on hand. 
A list of the members who have died during the past 
year was read. Secretary Snow, declining further 
service on account of increasing infirmities, George 
A. Grant was chosen secretary. 

The election of officers was as follows: Presi- 
dent — Col. S. P. Richmond; Vice-Presidents — Maj. 
Vfilliam E. Mason, Capt. O. A. Baker, Capt. Linus 
Hayward; Chaplain — C. A. Snow; Treasurer — Lieu- 
tenant Joseph Gibbs; Secretary — George A. Grant. 

Executive Committee — Same as last year with 
the exception of the election of George A. Lackey, 
to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Capt. A. 
R. Wright. 

Communications from Quartermaster Penniman 
and Honorable Philip M. Crapo expressing their re- 
grets at being unable to be present were received. 
The meeting adjourned. 

George A. Grant, Secretary. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 319 

The Third Regiment Association held its meeting 
this year in Fall River, July 26, 1900. They were 
the guests of Richard Borden Post, G. A. R. Fall 
River is the home of Companies C and D. The 
morning rain made it hard for many to attend. 

Order was called at 11 a. m. The president's 
speech was full of tenderness. Invocation by Chap- 
lain Snow. The treasurer reported |28.03 on hand. 
The comrades stood at attention with uncovered 
heads while the secretary read the names of those 
who have passed away during the year. 

The old board of officers was elected to serve an- 
other year, with the exception of G. A. Grant, who 
was elected treasurer to fill the vacancy caused by 
the death of Lieut. Joseph Gibbs. It was voted that 
our next reunion be held in Middleboro on the last 
Thursday in July, 1901. Mrs. Jennie Gibbs was 
voted an honorary member of this Association. The 
treasurer reported |29 in the treasury. 

The meeting adjourned to partake of an excellent 
dinner prepared by the Women's Relief Corps of 
Richard Borden Post. 

George A. Grant. Secretary. 



According to vote at our previous meeting, the 
Association met at Middleboro, July 25, 1901. The 



3*20 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

weather was stormy. The meeting was opened by 
the president at 11 a. m. Prayer by the chaplain. 
Remarks by the president. The records of the last 
meeting were read and approved. The treasurer re- 
ported 116.68 on hand after paying the expenses of 
last year. 

The election of officers was as follows : Presi- 
dent — Col. Silas P. Richmond; Vice-Presidents — 
Maj. W. E. Mason, Capt. O. A. Baker, Capt. Linus 
Hayward; Chaplain Emeritus — C. A. Snow; Chap- 
lain — John Gray Gammons; Secretary and Treas- 
urer — G. A. Grant; Executive Committee — C. P. 
Lyon, B. S. Atwood, James B. Smith, Vernon Wade, 
Fred T. Maxfield, P. Cannavan, Leander Wilber, Ed- 
Vv in Haskins, Ezra F. Sampson, Uriel Haskins. 

A collection w^as taken amounting to |16.08. A 
vote of thanks was tendered to the Y. M. C. A. for 
the use of their hall for the day. Maj. C. S. Allen 
of Whitman, and Thomas Waring of Fall River, 
were voted honorary members of the Association. 
It was voted that we hold our next reunion at Whit- 
man. The meeting adjourned for dinner. 

After dinner an electric car ride to our first Camp 
Joe Hooker had been planned, where the comrades 
reviewed the experiences of thirty-nine years ago. 

George A. Grant. Secretary. 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 321 

The reunion of the Third Regiment Association 
was held in Whitman, July 31, 1902. This being 
the home of our genial comrade, B. S. Atwood, noth- 
ing was wanting to make the day all that could be 
desired by the boys. 

Order was called at 10.30 a. m., Col. Silas P. Rich- 
mond in the chair. His earnest greeting was re- 
ceived with the old-time applause. A hearty wel- 
come was given to all the comrades by Sergt. B. S. 
Atwood. Prayer by the chaplain. The records of 
the last meeting were read and approved. The 
treasurer's report showed |17.77 on hand. Comrade 
Ezra F. Sampson extended a cordial invitation to 
the Association to meet at East Bridgewater in 
1902. This was accepted. The board of officers for 
the last year were re-elected. James S. Tripp and 
J. P. Hill were added to the Executive Committee. 
A collection of |9.09 was taken. 

The Women's Relief Corps of Whitman furnished 
an excellent dinner. The remainder of the day was 
given to speech-making by several comrades. The 
reunion in Whitman passes into history as a very 
pleasant one, long to be remembered. 

George A. Grant^ Secretary. 

21 



322 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

The Association met in East Bridgewater, Aug. 
5, 1903. The day was rainy and the call to order 
by the President at 10.10 a. m. found but fifty-six 
members present. The records of the last meeting 
were read and approved. The treasurer's report 
showed flO.ll on hand, with all bills paid. The 
publication of the regimental history received the 
sanction of all members present. It was voted that 
a member from each company be elected to write its 
company history. 

The following were elected: Company A, John 
G. Gammons; Company B, B. S. Atwood; Company 
C, James B. Smith; Company D, Vernon Wade; 
Company E, Fred T. Maxfield; Company F, Benja- 
min Card; Company G, Ira B. Tripp; Company H, 
William H. Luther; Company I, Jabez M. Lyle; 
Company K, Henry Manley. 

Chaplain Snow was elected to prepare the history 
of the field and staff, also the history of the regi- 
ment, and publish the same in book form. 

The comrades stood at attention while the secre- 
tary read the names of those who had died during 
the past year. Greetings were ordered sent to Capt. 
Otis Baker (the only living captain), now in the 
distant West. 

The following is the list of officers for the year: 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 323 

President — Col. Silas P. Richmond; Vice-Presidents 
— Maj. W. E. Mason, Capt. O. A. Baker, Capt. Linus 
Hayward; Chaplain — John Gray Gammons; Musi- 
cian — Seth Miller Briggs; Executive Committee — 
C. P. Lyon, B. S. Atwood, James B. Smith, Vernon 
Wade, F. T. Maxfield, P. Cannavan, Leander Wil- 
ber, Edwin Haskins, Ezra F. Sampson. 

It was voted that we hold our reunion next year 
at Dighton Rock Park, July 21, 1904. 

George A. Grant^ Secretary. 



The Association held its fifteenth annual reunion 
at Dighton Rock Park, July 21, 1904. The day 
was fine and the transportation by electrics easy. 
The order of the day was called by the president at 
11.05 A. M. The greeting of the president indicated 
that he was not growing old, infirm, or forgetful of 
his boys who marched at his command through the 
mud of North Carolina forty-three years ago. The 
records of the last meeting were read and approved. 
It was voted that the thanks of the Association be 
tendered to the family of our late Chaplain Snow 
for the work done by him on Regimental History. 
It was voted that all the historical manuscript be 
forwarded to Chaplain J. G. Gammons to enable 



324 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

him to complete the work with such assistance as he 
may desire in compiling the history. A collection 
of 120.42 was taken. After the reading of the list 
of those who died last year, the president spoke 
with much feeling on the death of Chaplain Snow, 
referring to his many good qualities as an officer 
and a man. The old board of officers were re- 
elected to serve another year with the exception of 
Stephen P. Sawyer who was chosen in place of 
Linus Hayward, deceased. The Executive Commit- 
tee is the same as last year. Sergt. B. S. Atwood 
suggested that an entertainment after the business 
session and dinner would be of interest to the com- 
rades, and it was left with him to provide what he 
thought best in such line for our reunion in 1905. 
It was voted that we hold our next reunion at Digh- 
ton Rock Park. The treasurer's report showed 
113.26 on hand with all bills paid. 

George A. Grant^ Secretary and Treasurer. 



The Third Regiment Association held its reunion 
at Dighton Rock Park, July 20, 1905. The meet- 
ing was called at 11.20 a. m. The greetings of the 
president were as fraternal and cordial as ever; 
years seem to make no impression on either his 



VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 



325 



health, voice, or memory. His recital of the war 
days so thrill the boys that they all seem young 
again, and should war demand their services, they 
would follow their old leader anywhere he asked 
them to go. The records of the last meeting were 
read and approved. The treasurer reported $44.36 
in the treasury. The names of those who died dur- 
ing the year were read by the secretary. Chaplain 
Gammons reported that the Regimental History 
was nearly completed. A letter from Surgeon A. 
A. Stocker, now in his eighty-sixth year, was read 
regretting his inability to be at the reunion, and 
sending his kind regards to Colonel Richmond and 
all the other members of the Association. With 
the exception of William E. Mason the old board of 
officers were re-elected. Sergt. B. S. Atwood was 
chosen vice-president. It was voted to hold our re- 
union next year at Fort Phoenix, Fairhaven. 

The dinner was fine, and the entertainment which 
followed it was very pleasing. Masters Ralph and 
Benjamin Atwood and Miss Blanche Atwood, grand- 
children of Sergeant Atwood; also Miss Clara A. 
Goodwin, did themselves great credit in the render- 
ing of their parts, which were pleasing to all who 
heard them. 

George A. Grant,, Secretary and Treasurer. 



326 HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS 

Since the organization of the Association one hun- 
dred and ninety have answered the last roll call. 
Their names and the dates of deaths will be found 
in the History of the Field and Staff, and the cor- 
rected history of the several companies. 

During the meetings of the Association no liquors 
have been used at dinner, neither sold nor used by 
the comrades, nor has any one been seen under the 
influence of liquor. All the meetings have been 
characterized by unanimity and cordial greetings. 

The Compiler. 



•vJt 



v^ 



